Shankar, Shafqat raise the peace pitch

NEW DELHI: A common history stood in the backdrop as music strengthened the bond between two nations. A day after the qawwals had stirred up emotions in Ajmer, singers Shankar Mahadevan and Shafqat Amanat Ali raised the peace pitch even higher at the Purana Qila on Sunday evening as part of Aman Ki Asha - an initiative by The Times of India and Pakistan's Jung Group.With the historic fort lit up in an array ofcolours, singer and music and composer Shankar Mahadevan sang his prayers forIndia and Pakistan in a rendition of Vakratund Mahakaya, closely followed byMaula. With him prayed the audience who had come to listen to the sound of peaceand love from all parts of the city.His concert partner was ShafqatAmanat Ali, the classical singer from Lahore who has given hits like Mitwa, YeHaunsla and Tere Naina in Bollywood. The two got the audience singing, groovingand thinking at this second edition of Aman Ki Asha music festival.The stately walkway that led to the 16th century monument wasbrimming with music lovers who trickled in even as Shankar began with the themesong of Aman Ki Asha - Nazar mein rehte ho, par tum nazar nahi aate. That songand the winter breeze seemed enough to set the mood rolling after anchor AamirRaza Husain had welcomed the singers.Their arms swung high, theaudience crooned haan… yeh rasta hai tera from Lakshya andthe ever-popular Dil chahta hai. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who had earlierwelcomed the two singers with a bouquet of white flowers, clapped as Shankarswitched to Jhoom barabar jhoom. If Rock on had their spirits soaring, melodieslike Kal ho na ho and Ma from Taare Zameen Par left them with a smile. "Thesetting was nice and so was the weather. I am glad I could make it to thisconcert. I thoroughly enjoyed the Breathless song which he sang twice just ondemand!" said Mrinalini Jaiswal, who had come to Purana Qila with her entirefamily.Soon after, Shafqat joined composer Shankar for their songMitwa from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. "The Aman Ki Asha concert is not for just forthe two nations but for everyone who has a desire to bring peace and peopletogether. This campaign will certainly meet its goal," said Shafqat even as thecrowd screamed out their choices of songs to which he quickly obliged.His Aankhon ka sagar, hoton ka sagar drew a loud applause while hisversion of Farida Khanum's Aaj jaane ki zid na karo got revelers singing withhim. Ye aarzoo and More saiyaan started a wave of cheer. Sanjeev Sharma, who haddriven from Noida with his wife and daughter, said, "It's difficult to say ifShankar was better or Shafqat. Their music was equally enjoyable andmesmerizing. For once, I saw the differences between India and Pakistanblurring."