Aug 02, 2011
Every day the Friendship beyond Borders series will be broadcast across India by the BBC's FM partner stations, as some of the best known singers and musicians from India and Pakistan talk about music, mutual understanding and peace. Artistes including Shafqat Amanat Ali, Arif Lohar, Ali Azmat, Rekha Bharadwaj and Mohit Chauhan are taking part. Salim Merchant, of Indian duo, Salim-Sulaiman, says music has no language: 'It is a business of the heart. It has no nationality or religion.' Pakistani singer, Shafqat Amanat Ali, tells the programme that visa issues between the two countries should be relaxed so that people can meet their loved ones and families without any obstacles. The week closes on Sunday with a special edition of the BBC Hindi chat-show, Ek Mulaqat, which will bring together Indian fusion band Indian Ocean and Pakistani pop band Strings. However their discussions and music will come from different studios as Strings will be in the BBC's Karachi studio and Indian Ocean in the Delhi studio. BBC Hindi India FM Editor, Rashika Kaul, said: 'Friendship beyond Borders is a one-off series which, we hope, will be a welcome addition to the public dialogue between the two nations. It brings musicians from different genres and across the borders to talk about the issues that really matter to the people of both countries.' As well as the FM broadcasts this week BBC Hindi will broadcast the series on shortwave in the lead-up to India's Independence Day on 15 August. More information and features will be available at bbchindi.com.