Good music will always find a way to transcend borders:Prithvi Gandharv

Conflicts between India and Pakistan have time and again seen bans on art and artistes in both countries. However, for singer Prithvi Gandharv — who recently wrapped up a six-city Australia- New Zealand tour with legendary Pakistani musician Ustad Ghulam Ali and his son Aamir Ghulam Ali — art finds a way regardless of the circumstances.

“Music ek khushboo ki tarah hota hai jisey koi sarhad rok nahin sakti. Especially in the era of the internet, achche music ko phailne se nahi rok sakte,” says Gandharv, adding that he respects the sentiments of people who were affected by the history between both countries. “But one should accept that good artistes and good music cannot be banned. They will always find a way to transcend borders,” he insists.

The Albela (Bajirao Mastani, 2015) singer, who in 2019 performed in Lahore with Pakistani musician Shafqat Amanat Ali, hopes that such events continue to happen. “I’d want ki yeh silsila chalta rahe because the aim is to spread peace and love. Since bygones are bygones, we should all try to be together,” he says.

Talking about the tour, which started in Brisbane on February 11 and concluded on 26 of the same month in Auckland, Gandharv says, “For me, [Ghulam ali] is one of the best ghazal singers ever. Wherever there is an understanding of Urdu poetry or ghazal, people thoroughly enjoy listening to him. Performing with him was a dream come true.”

Performing with Ali on this tour, he expected to impress the Pakistani ghazal doyen all along, but a comment from the latter made his day. “He said, ‘Maine India mein bahut saare singers ko suna hai but you are my favourite now from the younger generation.’ Those words coming from him meant the world to me,” Gandharv wraps up.