By Ravi Nitesh
We all know that whosoever
created the world, created hearts and minds as well, in which feelings,
emotions, desires and imagination float. With our journey to development, we
started living in societies, in communities and developed a living pattern to share
our thoughts, imaginations and desires within and outside the specific groups.
These very identities developed culture and became a strong bond among various
communities and societies to survive together with happiness and at the same
time, to become a medium of sharing the expressions and feelings.
With political
developments, desire of power and rule and to arrange systematic or planned
administration, political boundaries came in feature that became base of
countries and their boundaries. In contrary to freedom of movement, which every
human gets as natural right just by being born on earth, these movements were
restricted at some extent by these political boundaries due to various reasons.
At present, if we talk about South Asia, India and Pakistan have made its
political boundaries so stringent that it is not easy for people of these
countries to move in each other’s boundary easily. Instead, it gives a very
hectic experience to cross this border. However, even in this time, art has not
lost its virtue of trascending boundaries and in this way, its relevance is
increasing. In its best form, it sends messages across borders and reflects
that art cannot be bounded; it belongs to the humanity.
Hardly a fortnight ago,
when Tehrik-e-Niswan, an art group of Pakistan came to Hyderabad and Delhi
(India) to perform a play and classical dance, people in India welcomed them
whole heartedly. I remember when the famous Stainley Auditorium of India
Habitat Centre was filled with audience till late night and people gave
standing ovation to the troupe from the neighboring country. In her
introductory speech, I remember that someone from the group expressed and
defined herself that she would like to become a crack in the boundary (sarhad
pe banee deewar ki daraar) as this crack gives hope and medium of communication
and love. In their very well organized performances, the group members
performed classical dances (including Indian classical dances) and performance
on play and poetry (of Ameer Khusro, Ismat Chugtai, Sarojini Naidu etc). For
many Indians, it was the first time that they came to know that Indian
classical dance can be known in Pakistan as well and can be performed so
beautifully by any person from Pakistan. For Sheema Kirmani of Tehrik-e-Niswan,
the answer was simple, "Art, music do not know boundaries. I see these
various forms of arts as belonging to human society and not to Indians,
Pakistanis or any other specific group. I see that it belong to everyone."
It was probably one of the best things I heard. It really gives a hope to all
of us, the common people of these two countries.
With all such efforts of
arts and music, I feel that humanity gets strengthened. It provides a positive
help in bringing people closer, in sending the message of peace and friendship
and in providing a common platform to meet, to smile and to be proud of our
respect for each other. In all such moves, where the initiative is taken by
people for the people, political restrictions become useless and at the time
when people of these two countries meet together, all the ‘so-called hatred’
gets vanished. I feel that more and more such moves are required from people’s
side.
With the shared history
and culture, India and Pakistan can make the cultural exchange as one of the
main tools to enhance P2P (people to people) bonding. With the time, these
bonds will only benefit these countries and its people.
-ravinitesh@gmail.com
www.aaghazedosti.wordpress.com
