First Indo-Pak Open Mic: Delhi meets Lahore

Pakistanis and Indians got a chance to come together virtually as the Aaghaz-e-Dosti organised the first virtual cross-border open mic with Vijay Kumar and friends of Ideal Youth Health & Welfare Society of Delhi.

Sadaam Hussain and Umair Ali played flute, Zeeshan Sarwar, Allen Earl-West and Haroon Hashmi sung as well. Session ended with the sufi performance the Qade Band. Youth from both the sides participated in open mic virtual event through internet video call from Delhi and Lahore.

The basic objective of the open mic was an interactive session among Pakistanis and Indians through which art, music and culture could be promoted. Saad Hafeez and Hassan from Qade Band of Lahore initiated the event by singing an Indian song Teri Deewani with outstanding vocals and voice.

The event got pace with another song Allah hi dyga, Mola hi dyga. While Vijay Kumar from Delhi side along with children sang a folk song in Bohjpuri language. As event got rhythm, performances from both the sides were presented turn by turn. Kevin and Sam from Lahore gave instrumental piece Anokha Laadla, John from Delhi sang Tu na jany aas pas hy khuda.

Saddam Hussain from Lahore came up with amazing flute and played marr jaon ya ji lon zaraa and Lambi judai. Vijay Kumar did a special group performance with drum. Allen with classical singing training made another contribution in event with classical songs.

Umair Ali from Lahore was another person with flute gave his best. From Delhi, it was requested to sing a classical song of Ghulam Ali, and Allen make a stunning performance with Chupky chupky raat din. Nazr mein rhety ho jb tum nazr nahen aty, a famous song was sung by Zeeshan Sarwar from Lahore.

Question and Answer Session

Neha, a 12 years old girl from Delhi asked from Lahore team Do Muslims in Pakistan go to Mandirs as Hindus visits Dargah and Mosques. People from Pak side responded, Yes, we have two famous Mmandirs in Lahore and we do visit, moreover we celebrated HOLI with our Hindu friends and community this year.

Neha was asked by Lahore team that when will she visit Lahore She replied When You people will send me visa. Lahore team asked from children of Delhi about their favourite Singer from Pakistan. They replied, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. During the event  signature campaign for Peace Now and Forever  was also in process.

Participants appreciated the campaign and this Open Mic event. They were very keen to be invited in such upcoming events of Aaghaz-e-Dosti to promote  Peace and tolerance. Participants said that emphasize that both Govt should replace this conflict and tussle  with  Peace and harmony.

Visa process should be easier , so that people may visit across the border easily one of the participants said that. At the end a poem Ao mil kr hum sb sath chlen was presented by Fayyaz from Lahore. After that Delhi Team gave their last group performance.

Give me sun shine and Saad Hafeez from Lahore concluded this event with his mind blowing performance which made every body mesmerized. Tery Ishq mein jo bhi doob gaya and ‘Laal meri Ptt rakhiyou bhla. This is how a beautiful evening ended, Participants said Good bye to each other till next virtual or real meeting.

The Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a joint initiative of Mission Bhartiyam (India) and Hum Sab Aik Hain (Pakistan), aims to eradicate mutual hatred and suspicion to create unwavering bonds of peace and friendship. They believe that miscommunication and lack of communication has helped sustain the conflict. To meet objective, the Aaghaz-e-Dosti has taken several initiatives ranging from interactive sessions in schools to public demonstrations, from art-based initiatives to writing articles and issuing statements to disseminate the misrepresented voice across the border.

Aaghaz-e-Dosti Pakistan is represented by Hum Sab Aik Hain is an organisation formed by a group of young people based in Lahore. The objective of this organisation is to promote peace and harmony among the masses by highlighting, advocating and organising towards discourses and movements to bring about socio-political and the economic changes required for a peaceful society.

Based in Delhi, Ideal Youth Health & Welfare Society founder Vijay Kumar is a certified trainer of Play for Peace and he works with the marginalised youths including Dalits and school dropouts. The Ideal Youth Health & Welfare Society is a civil rights based organisation, working with marginalised community children and young adults in Delhi.

Report by Muhammad Fayyaz and Atiqa Shahid

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