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‘His listeners will certainly be deprived but I hope they understand his sentiments and the larger concerns surrounding it’
‘Musicians are emissaries of peace. When they are threatened, you know something is terribly wrong’
Singers and other artistes react to Pakistan ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s decision to cancel all shows in India till ‘things settle down in the nation’.
On Thursday, Pakistan ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali refuted claims that he would perform in Lucknow on December 3, saying that all his India concerts would be cancelled till things settled down.
A hurt Ali said, “I have cancelled all my future concerts in India, will never come back to India. I will not perform until things settle down. I’m hurt by recent incidents in India.”
Following the cancellations of the show, other musicians and artistes have lamented the situation of the growing intolerance in the nation.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said, “He should only come to India when he feels safe. His fans in India are disappointed by his decision to not perform. The interesting thing is, he may be Pakistani but he sings Hindustani music. I hope the people of India and the world soon realise the value of peace and harmony.”
Anupam Roy, who composed music for many Bengali hits and for Amitabh-Deepika starrer Piku, feels Ghulam Ali is right to stay away. “Ghulam Ali’s decision to not perform in India in the recent future seems justified, given the insult and harassment he faced from the Shiv Sena. As an artist, I was numbed with shock and anger at the insults he received. His listeners/admirers will certainly be deprived but I hope they understand his sentiments and the larger concerns surrounding it.”
Composer-singer Vishal Dadlani too weighed in on the situation, saying it was a slap on the face of the government. “This is a slap on the face of those who say there is no increase in intolerance under the present government. Musicians are emissaries of peace. When they are threatened, you know something is terribly wrong.”
The singer was stopped from performing in Mumbai and in Pune last month after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his concerts. It led to a debate, with artistes from all sections urging that art be kept out of politics.
When asked what he thought of Ghulam Ali’s decision, India’s ghazal exponent Talat Aziz said, “What can one say about Ghulam Ali saab’s decision? There are more serious issues which keep cropping up daily and need to be addressed by our government.”