By Minna Zutshi

Date:20-11-04

Source: Tribune News Service

 

Mitti Dee Khushboo fills the air
World Punjabi cultural festival begins
Minna Zutshi
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 20
Punjabi folklores of lecherous kings, unfortunate daughters, faithful-to-the-hilt beloveds and treacherous rivers came alive at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium yesterday evening during the first day of the World Punjabi Cultural Festival “Mitti Dee Khushboo. Artistes from India and Pakistan regaled the audience with songs and comedy.

Gurdas Mann, with his soulful singing sprinkled with homilies, struck an instant rapport with the audience. In his high-spirited, no-holds-barred style, he touched upon interesting bits of Punjabi culture, particularly the undiluted, rustic part. Jat Brothers from Pakistan rendered the Sassi saga in all its poignancy. Punjabi ‘bolis’ and Punjabi proverbs saw their liberal use, when commonalities between Indian and Pakistani cultures were repeatedly emphasised.

The deep, husky voices of Pakistani singers, including Afshan and Surriya Khanum, lifted the evening to the sublime. Humour, too, sneaked in from time to time during the show.

For the most part, it was the robust Punjabi humour, sometimes bordering on innuendoes of various shades. Anchor Satinder Satti peppered her talk with anecdotes, extending from the Land of the Five Rivers to the far-off Greece.

Even as the evening was gathering momentum, instances of fracas between the law-enforcers and some over-eager audience members, were reported. The SP, City, Mr Rakesh Kaushal, said the police had a tough time in controlling the audience. Meanwhile, tableaux showcasing Punjabi culture were taken out in a procession that passed through various parts of the city today morning. Apart from some Pakistani delegates, city students dressed in traditional finery took part in the procession. Snippets of common village life in India and Pakistan were visible in the tableaux.

According to observers, changes kept popping up at the last minute as the procession was in progress. The Pakistani delegates, who did not carry any flags in the beginning, were given Indian flags after some time. Students had been given placards stressing harmony. Some of these placards were in Urdu.

Music is divinity
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 20
Music is divinity for noted Pakistani Sufi singer Surriya Khanum, who is in the city.

It not a mirror to the truth; it’s truth itself. It is passion for the ultimate reality. What can give more happiness than an ode to Him? I can`t think of music as anything else, she says.

Cacophony, in the name of music, is not her cup of tea. She finds it rather strange when singers belt out fast numbers to shore up their popularity. Baba Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, the great masters, cannot be rendered disrespectfully.

“You have to give these great men their due.” She agrees that in the past few decades competition in the field of music has intensified. But pandering to the public taste is not the right thing for a singer, who believes music is “ibadat”.

She often finds it rather amusing when asked whether she would like to have dancers during her performance. Her music can hold on its own, she feels.

But Surriya is not averse to experimenting with the new. She is associated with an organisation that uses music therapy to treat mentally disturbed patients. Sufiana kalam works wonders for these patients. It seems to jog them out of their problems. I have seen disturbed women eyes lighting up after listening to Sufi music, although they may not comprehend it fully, she says.

The raison d’etre of her life is helping these disturbed patients find some meaning in their lives. My Sufiana kalam would find its fulfillment if I am able to do something for these people. Trust me, music has a purpose to it. Those who say that music is simply entertainment should think again, she says with conviction.