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Border moments, broader memories
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A trip to Wagah Border led to nostalgic moments where the music release of the period film "Pinjar" took place recently.
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Urmila Matondkar at the release of the music of "Pinjar" at Wagah Border. Photo: R.V. Moorthy.
NOSTALGIC, OVERWHELMING, uneasy... the moments that were at Baab-e-Azadi or Gate of Freedom, known to the populace of India and Pakistan as Wagah Border. It is but a broad white line dividing the two countries, since Partition, measuring 25 kilometres from East of Pakistan's most ancient city, Lahore, and West of Indian city, Amritsar. There are two huge iron gates, around two metres apart, built by the Pakistani authorities to pay homage to thousands killed during the mass migration in 1947. The gate opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. everyday.
It was time to pay tribute again. Tribute to those women like Kamla Ben, Begum Liaquat Ali Khan and Mridula Sarabhai who played a major role in the exchange of abducted women from both sides and rehabilitated them. A tribute to Amrita Pritam whose novel Pinjar forms the essence of the show just to begin here. A tribute to Gulzar who has penned the poetry that constitutes the lyrics of the film, lyrics that sprung from his heart after he ran away from there at the age of 11, and a tribute to veteran Pakistani poetess Zehra Nigaah who offered her rare poem free of charge to Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, the director of the film. It was time for music release of the film here, music that is scored by Uttam Singh, of Dil To Paagal Hai and Gadar fame.
It was a chance for media personnel to witness a historical moment: release of music for the first time on border.
The crew of the film comprising Urmila Matondkar, Esha Kopikkar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Uttam Singh, Dwivedi, editor Ballu Saluja and Sufi singers Wadali brothers positioned itself against a huge poster of Pinjar. . Dwivedi says "Wagah and I have seen countless bodies from both sides being transported on August 14, 1947. Amrita Pritam, who came from Lahore, witnessing all bloodshed stopped believing in all religions." The music release here was an effort to relive countless memories, bitter though and to unite both countries through a cultural bond called music. When the mike was handed over to Urmila, all eyes were riveted on her. She read an extract from Pukhraj, Gulzar's most famous collection of poems. Hum Refugee The, Bhag Rahe The... her voice got choked, overwhelmed with emotion. In the backdrop one heard , Hum Laen Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikal Ke, song from the Indian side, and a religious nazm from the other side. They mixed like the hearts of the people from both countries. Esha read from Sadat Hasan Manto's Ghate Ka Sauda that talks of a girl being raped by one community by mistake, as they think that she belonged to the other community! Uttam Singh sang nostalgic folklore of Punjab: Watana Re, Bant Gaye Tere Aangan, Lut Gayi Teri Heerain, Mar Gaye Tere Ranjhe... , Wadali brothers followed singing a kalam by Waris Shah. Urmila read Gulzar's creation. In the second line of poem, Suna Hai Kal Jung Hi Hogi... , her hands trembled, her voice broke and so did the words. She couldn't control her tears. All others were overwhelmed, tears rolled down from one and all present there. "My brother is in the Air Force. I know what a war means... " she couldn't continue... The event came to a halt. Everyone is too emotional to carry it further. Music release took place later by Ms. Oswal of Lucky Star's Entertainment Limited. Nostalgic, foot-tapping Chudioyon Ki Tokri song from Pinjar filled the air.
RANA A. SIDDIQUI
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