Next to Dal Lake, a musical jihad - Pakistani Band, Junoon, Performs In Srinagar

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In the media M Saleem Pandit, Times of India Dehli - 26th May 2008

Srinagar: The hills that have for years reverberated with gunfire, came alive with the sound of music on Sunday afternoon as Kashmiris, particularly the youth, turned up in large numbers and swayed to the rhythmic beats of Pakistani Sufi ban, Junoon.

Amid resounding applause, the band, braving terrorist threads, played before a capacity crowd of about 10,000 on the banks of the Dal Lake woth the snow-capped Himalayas and a Sufi shrine forming a majectic backdrop. Junoon's fusion of western and eastern music left a discerning audience asking for more.

For the band's guitarist-cim-lyricist Salman Ahmad, the concert, was their contribution towards peace building. "Join us in a musical jihad for peace and ring the bells for harmny", he said to a responsive crowd, adding: "We are songs of unity, peace, joy and brotherhood; Kashmir is the perfect setting for it". More cheers followed.

For Kashmir's youth, who have long lived under the shadow of the gun, these were moments to cherish. "Something great happened to Kashmir after ages, and we rocked !" exclaimed Arshi Gouse, a 20-yearold student. Kashmir University student Mudasir Ahmed, voicing the feelings of the youth, said, "Music's a tremendous healer, and I'm sure such events will succed in defusing hatred between India and Pakistan". He said the rendering of the poetry of Maulana Rumi, Iqbal and Bulleh Shah, with rocking beats, was a great innovation. SINGING FOR A CAUSE.

Music has no religion, says Junoon singer

Srinagar: Pakistani Sufi pop band, Junoon, performed maid resounding applause. The band, braving terrorist threats, played before a capacity crowd of 5,000 to 10,000 on the banks of the Dal Lake.

The musicians themselves - followers of Sufism that extols humanity's oneness with divinity - who have given such hits as "Sayyoni", "Khudi" and "Bulla ki jaana" were overwhelmed by the response.

Performing before Kashmiris for the first time, they furthered the Sufi vision with their renditions. "Junoon is a voice for peace and international understanding"; Ahmad said.

"Music is like water and air; it has no religion. It connect the world".

Performing in Kashmir was a dream come true for the band. "I have performed all over India and always wanted to perform in Srinagar", Ahmed said, adding there couldn't ba a better setting for their kind of music than the picture postcard Valley.

Junoon is in Kashmir at the invitation of South Asia Foundation. The concert, described as the biggest musical event in the region in nearly two decades, was dedicated to peace. Not surprinsingly, many here woud want an encore.