Tying the invisible knot...

Left to right : Ravi Shankar, Mehdi Hassan & Runa Laila

Around 2002, Adnan Sami Khan, a Pakistani singer, gained tremendous popularity in India. His album, Tera Chehra, is said to have sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan of Pakistan took the Indian audience by storm when he presented his finest Qawwalis. Many of his renditions were taken up by both music and movie producers who blended his performance splendidly in an Indian backdrop. Acclaimed actress of our country, Babita received rave reviews for her role in Satyajit Ray's Ashani Shanket. In the early '80s, Door-desh, a tri-nation production included top movie-stars of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Featuring actors: Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Nadeem and Babita, the movie made it big at the box office.

In 1971, the great Indian maestro Ravi Shankar performed the astounding live concert titled, Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square with the Beatles.

The fact that there is so much mutual cross-border affinity for music and culture in these neighbouring countries, should hardly come as a surprise. This cultural bondage permeated the psyche though our common lineage has survived dynasties and empires for centuries.

In recent times, the love for the common culture has been kept alive largely thanks to the stalwarts of different eras. Dhaka had played its part quite prominently on many occasions as proud host to many memorable performances.

Among them were Ustaad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Ajay Chakravarti, Rashid Khan, Ustaad Allah Rakhkha, Ustaad Zakir Hussain from India. Pakistani artistes such as Farida Khanum, Ustaad Nazakat Ali Khan, Ustaad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustaad Amanat Ali, Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan also performed here during the pre-Independence period. Much later performed Ghulam Ali and Abida Parveen. In recent times, dance performances by Radha Reddy, Leela Samson and Sanjukta Panigrahi have enthralled many. Those who couldn't be accommodated in the large Osmani Auditorium, simply came anyway, and watched from the aisles for hours.

Artistes of repute in the fields of Tagore, Nazrul and folk genres of our country often perform in the different channels and stage shows in India. Different theatre groups and film actors also take part in the festivals and films in West Bengal. Shantiniketan, the seat of learning, has been the key factor in molding numerous talented artistes of our country.

During the last two decades, Dhaka has however, failed to maintain its reputation as a cultural platform; there haven't been many grand presentations of the masters of classical music or star performers from our neighbouring countries. Despite the busy schedule of performers, a strong initiative could certainly draw these maestros back.

As the Saarc summit is on, it is an opportune moment to remember that the summit is a meeting of minds, a platform to exchange ideas, a forum to discuss mutually beneficial reforms. But it's also an opportunity to "re-incarnate" the tradition of a thriving cultural exchange.

Home to one-fifth of the world's population and easily one of the world's oldest cultural fountainheads, South Asia's rich tradition is unquestionable. The common heritage we share, makes the idea of a continuous flow of cultural exchange even more apparent. It's true that we host and perform brief shows for dignitaries at every summit. But we can go so much further.

As the Saarc summit gains momentum, this could turn it into a festival of cultural events where artistes from member countries could perform for the masses. If we let our imagination fly, we could come up with many more initiatives such as holding regular workshops, organising field trips for college/university students and so on. Eager students would need little encouragement to pay a minimum ticket fare, given that the governments would take care of visas, food and lodging. The schools, colleges and universities can also play host to their peers. The idea is not only to nourish talents at a tender age but also to take the help of private sector management that has the expertise to arrange these occasions on a regular basis. Similarly, art exhibitions could help widen the horizons.

The ultimate goal of Saarc is to bring the nations closer. Trade pacts and economic agreements are all important. But culture has an inexplicable power of blurring borders and bringing people closer in a knot that can outlive all else.

It's heartening to note that the Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga in her inaugural speech yesterday, at the Saarc summit, has proposed holding annual cultural festivals alternatively in the member countries.