Bridging distances

He may be a big name back home in Pakistan, but pop singer Najam Sheraz8217;s tryst with India has been a chequered one.

Music will go a long way in healing the wounds of India and Pakistan, feels Pakistani pop star Najam Sheraz

He may be a big name back home in Pakistan, but pop singer Najam Sheraz8217;s tryst with India has been a chequered one. In 1999 when he came to India to release his first album, Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat, the Kargil war played spoilsport. Then in 2004 he received a frantic call from a friend from India. 8220;He asked me if I have sold the rights of my song to Mahesh Bhatt. When I answered in negative he asked me to check out the promos of the Murder,8221; says Sheraz, who is in the city to perform in a concert. The song in question was Bheeghe hoth tere from the film Murder, which is a direct lift of Sheraz8217;s original Pujabi song, Menu tere naal. 8220;I rang up Mahesh and introduced myself as the composer of Menu Tere Naal. He apologised to me that he could not locate me before asking my permission to record the number Bheege Hoth Tere with Kunal Ganjawala for Murder and asked me point blank whether I wanted money from him. I told him that I felt bad that I was not given my due credit for the number and asked him for recognition, not money,8221; remembers Sheraz.

These are however, happier times. The singer is touring the country to promote his latest album, Najam. 8220;The album is an amalgamation of different genres of music, be it eastern classical or folk, rock or funk and even blues. I want to spread peace and harmony through my music, and this album is a true testament to that. I believe that it is only the conflict of interests that exists between Indian and Pakistan, not enmity,8221; he says.

His collaboration with British musician Emily Sarah Edmondstone, who is touring the country with him, is a testament to the liberal nature of his music. 8220;I heard her in myspace and wanted to work with her. Her knowledge of Hindustani classical music is amazing. She even plays the sarangi,8221; he says. The music scene of this country however, is quite different to that in Pakistan. 8220;The popular culture in India is all about Bollywood in India, but in Pakistan pop stars are big. Cinema almost died in our country in the 1980s, since then people idolise pop stars,8221; states Sheraz.

Kolkata8217;s rich musical tradition has impressed him. 8220;Everybody seems to be in sur in this city. They also have a very musical way of speaking,8221; beams Shearz.