By Sheikh Mushtaq - Reuters Alert Net - London, U.K.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Srinagar, India: Many Kashmiris, weary of separatist violence, remain glued to their television sets when the region's leading singer bursts into the Kashmiri adaptation of the popular U.S. civil rights hymn, "We Shall Overcome."
Shameema Azad, also known as the "nightingale of Kashmir", urges people to unshackle themselves from the region's cycle of violence with the help of music in her music video, "We Shall Overcome".
The Kashmiri language video, regularly telecast on local cable networks, is a hit in the scenic Himalayan region, where tens of thousands of people have been killed since an armed revolt broke out against New Delhi's rule in 1989.
"Vultures have gathered overhead. People have been crushed by oppression. Come, let us resolve this question. We Shall Overcome," croons Shameema in a clear, melodious voice against a backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks and ancient Sufi shrines.
Years of violence between Muslim militants and Indian forces has brought untold misery to India's only Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, once part of an easy going society and the heart of Sufi Islam in South Asia.
Shameema, a household name in Kashmir and wife of Jammu and Kashmir state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, has produced at least three music videos in the past two years, focusing on peace and rebuilding Kashmir.
"Get up fast, panic yet not. We will build the new Kashmir," 52-year-old Shameema sings.
Her fans say her music is a relief from daily gunbattles, killings and security checks by armed soldiers on the streets.
"Shameema has the gift on making you forget everything -- at least for some moments -- and making you sing along with her," said 60-year-old Jana Bibi, a widow whose husband was a retired police officer killed by guerrillas in 2005.
Shameema told Reuters she selected the tune of the U.S. civil rights hymn in the 1960s for her latest video because of its powerful composition and popularity.
Disputed Kashmir, once known as the Switzerland of the East, was one of Asia's main tourist draws before the revolt broke out.
The strife has left nothing untouched in Kashmir, not even Shameema who writes her own lyrics. Her younger brother, Tasaduq Dev, was held hostage for over four months by a Muslim militant group in 1990 before being released and her parents' house has been attacked at least a half-dozen times with rockets and grenades since then.
"Music has power to heal wounds. I am sure it (her albums) will bring a little comfort to my miserable people," Shameema said.
Authorities say the 18-year insurrection in Kashmir has begun to subside since India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004. Both countries claim divided Kashmir in its entirety.
"Spring will come again. We will be happy once again. We will forget the miserable past. We Shall Overcome," Shameema sings.
Monday, February 19, 2007
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Monday, February 19, 2007
Kashmiri sings "We Shall Overcome" to heal wounds
By Sheikh Mushtaq - Reuters Alert Net - London, U.K.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Srinagar, India: Many Kashmiris, weary of separatist violence, remain glued to their television sets when the region's leading singer bursts into the Kashmiri adaptation of the popular U.S. civil rights hymn, "We Shall Overcome."
Shameema Azad, also known as the "nightingale of Kashmir", urges people to unshackle themselves from the region's cycle of violence with the help of music in her music video, "We Shall Overcome".
The Kashmiri language video, regularly telecast on local cable networks, is a hit in the scenic Himalayan region, where tens of thousands of people have been killed since an armed revolt broke out against New Delhi's rule in 1989.
"Vultures have gathered overhead. People have been crushed by oppression. Come, let us resolve this question. We Shall Overcome," croons Shameema in a clear, melodious voice against a backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks and ancient Sufi shrines.
Years of violence between Muslim militants and Indian forces has brought untold misery to India's only Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, once part of an easy going society and the heart of Sufi Islam in South Asia.
Shameema, a household name in Kashmir and wife of Jammu and Kashmir state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, has produced at least three music videos in the past two years, focusing on peace and rebuilding Kashmir.
"Get up fast, panic yet not. We will build the new Kashmir," 52-year-old Shameema sings.
Her fans say her music is a relief from daily gunbattles, killings and security checks by armed soldiers on the streets.
"Shameema has the gift on making you forget everything -- at least for some moments -- and making you sing along with her," said 60-year-old Jana Bibi, a widow whose husband was a retired police officer killed by guerrillas in 2005.
Shameema told Reuters she selected the tune of the U.S. civil rights hymn in the 1960s for her latest video because of its powerful composition and popularity.
Disputed Kashmir, once known as the Switzerland of the East, was one of Asia's main tourist draws before the revolt broke out.
The strife has left nothing untouched in Kashmir, not even Shameema who writes her own lyrics. Her younger brother, Tasaduq Dev, was held hostage for over four months by a Muslim militant group in 1990 before being released and her parents' house has been attacked at least a half-dozen times with rockets and grenades since then.
"Music has power to heal wounds. I am sure it (her albums) will bring a little comfort to my miserable people," Shameema said.
Authorities say the 18-year insurrection in Kashmir has begun to subside since India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004. Both countries claim divided Kashmir in its entirety.
"Spring will come again. We will be happy once again. We will forget the miserable past. We Shall Overcome," Shameema sings.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Srinagar, India: Many Kashmiris, weary of separatist violence, remain glued to their television sets when the region's leading singer bursts into the Kashmiri adaptation of the popular U.S. civil rights hymn, "We Shall Overcome."
Shameema Azad, also known as the "nightingale of Kashmir", urges people to unshackle themselves from the region's cycle of violence with the help of music in her music video, "We Shall Overcome".
The Kashmiri language video, regularly telecast on local cable networks, is a hit in the scenic Himalayan region, where tens of thousands of people have been killed since an armed revolt broke out against New Delhi's rule in 1989.
"Vultures have gathered overhead. People have been crushed by oppression. Come, let us resolve this question. We Shall Overcome," croons Shameema in a clear, melodious voice against a backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks and ancient Sufi shrines.
Years of violence between Muslim militants and Indian forces has brought untold misery to India's only Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, once part of an easy going society and the heart of Sufi Islam in South Asia.
Shameema, a household name in Kashmir and wife of Jammu and Kashmir state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, has produced at least three music videos in the past two years, focusing on peace and rebuilding Kashmir.
"Get up fast, panic yet not. We will build the new Kashmir," 52-year-old Shameema sings.
Her fans say her music is a relief from daily gunbattles, killings and security checks by armed soldiers on the streets.
"Shameema has the gift on making you forget everything -- at least for some moments -- and making you sing along with her," said 60-year-old Jana Bibi, a widow whose husband was a retired police officer killed by guerrillas in 2005.
Shameema told Reuters she selected the tune of the U.S. civil rights hymn in the 1960s for her latest video because of its powerful composition and popularity.
Disputed Kashmir, once known as the Switzerland of the East, was one of Asia's main tourist draws before the revolt broke out.
The strife has left nothing untouched in Kashmir, not even Shameema who writes her own lyrics. Her younger brother, Tasaduq Dev, was held hostage for over four months by a Muslim militant group in 1990 before being released and her parents' house has been attacked at least a half-dozen times with rockets and grenades since then.
"Music has power to heal wounds. I am sure it (her albums) will bring a little comfort to my miserable people," Shameema said.
Authorities say the 18-year insurrection in Kashmir has begun to subside since India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004. Both countries claim divided Kashmir in its entirety.
"Spring will come again. We will be happy once again. We will forget the miserable past. We Shall Overcome," Shameema sings.
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1 comment:
Sad irony - that the heart of Sufi country should be violent. I know less than I'd like to about Islam, but across all religious traditions it's the contemplative or "mystic" aspects that have impressed me as generally the wisest and the most deeply spiritual.
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