Shiv Sena’s antics over Ghulam Ali leave a discordant note in the world of art

Anguished Pakistani ghazal maestro said he was deeply hurt by the Shiv Sena’s threats of violence which led to the cancellation of his concert. “I don’t know what they have against me.  On April 26, 1998, too they disrupted my concert, flung the harmonium away and began shouting slogans against Pakistan.” He said he can understand how the organisers’ must have been forced to take a decision to withdraw their invitation to me.

Sources close to the organisers too echoed the maestro’s views. “The kind of track record of lumpenism that the Sena has would’ve led to anyone reacting in the same manner. How can a promise of security work unless pre-emptive preventive action is taken by the authorities? Let us not fool ourselves. 17 years ago, the huge police posse at Centaur did nothing when the Shiv sainiks ran up to the stage and ransacked instruments at Ghulam AliJi’s concert before in what can only be called a-mother-of-all-ironies breaking into an unmusical Jai Jai Maharashtra maajha (Long live my Maharashtra)! What is the guarantee this will not happen again?”

The world of performing arts too erupted in outrage over what many called “the terror of the boorish philistines.” Legendary flautist-composer Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia said he found himself in a very awkward position given the circumstances. “Its true that terror attacks, killing of jawans and civilians leaves very bad feelings, especially among the near and dear ones. But this requires to be politically addressed by leaders of both countries. The targeting of musicians and artistes is a matter of shame and ignominy for the entire fraternity. Art and politics shouldn’t be mixed like this. Its good for neither.”    

Another senior maestro expressed fear when asked to comment. “You know my guruji always told me to avoid wrestling with a pig. It ends up making you both filthy, only the pig enjoys it. You are telling me to react. And if I actually speak my mind what is guarantee the shiv sainiks will not come and pelting stones here. They just need any excuse to keep themselves relevant and in the news.”  

Perhaps it was similar fears which explained the songstress sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle’s reluctance to comment on the issue. The latter who had collaborated on an album Meraj-e-Ghazal with Ghulam Ali in 1983, had seen Raj Thackeray of the MNS launch a scathing attack on her in 2006 after she said had said if the Peddar Road flyover was constructed, she would have to shift to Dubai.     

Actor-activist Shabana Azmi wondered what the hullabaloo was all about. “Ghulam Ali Saab has performed in India hundreds of times before including at the Sankat Mochan Mandir in Varanasi barely seven months ago! In lament, she added, “I wish organisers hadn’t cancelled the concert because it was that a concert to commemorate our beloved ghazal singer Jagjit Singh.” Pointing out the CM Devendra Fadnavis’ offer for security she hoped the organisers had stood up to the threat. “Audiences would have braved their way in like they did recently with the play Agnes of God which was seeing protests by some groups.”

All praise for the ghazal maestro’s grace she pointed out how he reacted with hurt not anger and added, “Let us not forget that hundreds of Indian artistes have performed plays in Pakistan. Our writers have participated in each others Litfests. Lata Mangeshkar is held in very high esteem. They love our films. Instead of succumbing to a tit-for-tat retaliation policies, artistes should be encouraged to push boundaries and create a climate in which equal exchange at all creative levels and healthy trade become possible.”

According to her the protestors against Ghulam Ali are confusing governments of each others’ countries with their people. “Our government must keep the pressure up on the Pakistan to stop nefarious activities. But people-to-people contact, student exchanges etc must be strengthened to create harmony and peace.”

Echoing her, well-known vocalist-composer Shubha Mudgal told dna, “The ban on Ghulam AliJi's concert is unfortunate and regrettable. Not only is it a discourtesy towards a visiting artiste but also an insult to the very nature of art which by definition transcends all barriers. I would say the same if an Indian artiste were to be banned in Pakistan. It is also regrettable that the organisers of the event cancelled the concert, especially since the CM offered protection to the artiste. It would’ve been appropriate if the Shiv Sena broke its alliance with the BJP instead.”

Her husband, percussionist-composer Dr Aneesh Pradhan too questioned the wisdom of dragging an artiste’s name through the dirt over politics. “I see Ghulam Ali saab as a victim to the one-upmanship of patriotism and jingoism between the Sena and BJP.”

Like them senior Gwalior gharana vocalist Neela Bhagwat too expressed anguish by breaking into her favourite composition: “Mai har ma ka beta, behana ka bhai/ Mere khoon-e-rangat mein duniya samaee. Ye Hindustan ye Pakistan/ Sara jahan hai mera Aashiyaan. (A son to every mother/ a brother to every sister/ Its in my blood to be global. What Hindustan? What Pakistan?/ The whole world is my loving nest)

In the end Azmi sums it up best, indicating whose hands the Shiv Sena is playing into. “Stopping artists helps people like Hafiz Syed who want a wall between our countries . There are many people from civil society in Pakistan who want peace. Whose cause we wish to serve is the question that begs to be asked.”

Perhaps Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray knows...

Tiger's tracks:
Pitch digging (1999): Shiv Sainiks dug up the Wankhede stadium pitch just before Pakistan’s cricket tour which was happening after 12 years.

Cricket disruption champions (2006): Seeing the mileage their pitch digging got them seven years ago, the sainiks decided to mix cricket and politics again at the ICC Champions Trophy. The Mumbai serial train blasts was the excuse bandied this time by the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt matches featuring Pakistan in Jaipur and Mohali. The saffron party said Pakistan couldn't play in India given the alleged involvement of ISI in the bombings.

Bossing around (2010): The Shiv Sena asked Bigg Boss Season IV to remove Pakistani participants Veena Malik and Ali Saleem. Saying there is no dearth of celebrities in India that the organisers were bringing outsiders, that too from Pakistan.

Stuck on the no-Pak song (2012): Shiv Sena joined its Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to ban Pakistani artistes from Indian TV shows. Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai even went on to censure veteran singer Asha Bhosle for sharing the state with Pakistani Sufi singer Abida Parveen.

Kabab mein haddi in kabaddi (2014): Three Pakistani players were kept away from of the Pro-Kabaddi league inaugural matches in Maharashtra by their teams due to the Shiv Sena's threats. Later the Sena used threats to ensure no Pakistani players played in all matches at Mumbai and Pune.

Jarring notes (2014): Shiv Sena workers barged into the press meet and protested against Pakistani musicians before the launch of joint album. They stood on chairs with placards and demanded that the Sufi rock band be sent back.

Concert opposed (2015): The Shiv Sena's threats to Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s concert in Pune, scheduled for April 25, had to be cancelled.