Junoon Rocks Srinagar with Peace Message!

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Junoon band enthrals Srinagar



By Jawed Naqvi


SRINAGAR, May 25: Pakistan’s acclaimed pop band Junoon staged their maiden performance in Srinagar on Sunday, ignoring death threats by militants who opposed the show, and regaling thousands of cheering fans at an open air theatre by the scenic Dal Lake.

The United Jihad Council (UJC) had asked the Pakistan government to stop the band from performing in Srinagar, saying it might send a ‘wrong message’ to Kashmiris.

The concert was part of celebrations marking the inauguration by Indian President Pratibha Patil of the Kashmir Studies Institute at Kashmir University. It has been sponsored by the Indian chapter of the South Asia Foundation in collaboration with the university.

Lead singer and guitarist Salman Ahmed, under death threats from militants, sang from a repertoire of Sufi compositions, including Bulleh Shah.

“Pakistan should not let any of its cultural groups, such as Junoon, to perform in the disputed territory of Kashmir where any national or international activity amounts to open violation of international laws,” UJC chairman Syed Salahuddin said on Thursday.

He said Pakistan’s rulers should stop India from holding any international or regional event in Kashmir. He also called upon Kashmiris to observe a strike on Saturday, the day the Indian president arrived in Srinagar on her maiden visit.

Kashmir’s leader of the religious right, Syed Ali Geelani, had called for a shutdown on Saturday. But the event had caught on with youngsters in the valley who were keen on watching the performance on the lawns of the S. K. International Conference Centre on the banks of the Dal Lake. The band, along with the Canada-based Singhs Group, performed under the aegis of the South Asian Foundation (SAF) founded by Unesco goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.

Nearly 60 delegates from the Saarc civil society are part of the programme.

An estimated 5,000 Kashmiri students witnessed the performance but, reports said, more than double that number were keen on attending the event.

Former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga enjoyed the Punjabi and Urdu compositions even as she confessed she did not follow the words.

Agencies add: Young women danced and clapped as the band’s lead singer Salman Ahmed sung Sufi songs in the Urdu language.

Ahmed recalled how he had tried to visit Indian Kashmir many times in the past decade, only to be told ‘next time’ by sponsors.

“This is the 10-year-long tryst with destiny that today Junoon is with you,” he said during the show as he stood on a specially-designed stage.

The performance was a rare cultural programme in Indian occupied Kashmir, where such shows have been shelved since the outbreak of a rebellion in 1989.

A few Pakistani singers and musicians visited Kashmir last year, but Sunday’s event was the first one on a large scale.

“It is great to see music healing wounds in Kashmir and propagating friendship between India and Pakistan,” said Mehnaz Ali, a 21-year-old female student.

Prasad Rao of the South Asia Foundation (SAF), who organised the event, said the concert was aimed at encouraging regional cooperation and peace.

Chandrika Kumaratunga who heads her country’s SAF chapter, added: “This is the best way to promote peace.”

“Music is a tremendous healer, and I’m sure events like this will defuse hatred between the two countries,” said Mudasir Ahmed, a law graduate at the University of Kashmir.


Source: http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/26/top4.htm
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

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rinagar rocks to Pakistani band Junoon’s music

Shujaat Bukhari

Thousands turn up for the concert


— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

FOR PEACE: Salman Ahmad, lead singer of Pakistani rock band Junoon, performs in Srinagar on Sunday.

SRINAGAR: Despite threats from militant organisations, thousands of Kashmiris, mostly youth, turned up for a musical concert organised by the South Asia Foundation (SAF) here on Sunday.

The star attraction was the Pakistani rock band Junoon, which performed in Srinagar for the first time and turned thousands of music lovers hysterical.

The event was to mark the opening of the Institute of Kashmir Studies at the Kashmir University funded by the Foundation. It was aimed at spreading the message of peace, love and harmony.

The United Jehad Council, the umbrella forum of militant organisations, had warned against organising the event. But that did not deter the youth who were determined to watch Junoon’s leader Salman Ali’s performance on the banks of the Dal Lake.

SAF founder and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh had on Saturday brushed aside the threats. “I would not like to comment on issues related to politics… Ours is a purely non political organisation,” he said.
Dignitaries

Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar threw the concert open in the presence of a large number of dignitaries, who included the former Sri Lanka President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Afghan Minister for Women Affairs H.B. Gazanfar, the former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Kamal Hassan, SAF’s Pakistan chapter chairperson Saleema Hashimi, Pakistan Human Rights Commission chairperson I.A. Rehman, Editor in Chief of The Hindu N. Ram, Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz and the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

Besides Ali, Jeet Singh of the Singh Group’s pop music enthralled the audience. Jeet is the son of Madanjeet Singh and has played a significant role in organising the SAF.

As Salman began his most popular “Sayonee” (Oh my friend), the audience joined him, clapping and dancing. Throughout his nearly two-hour performance, the audience kept asking for more.

Salman said that he had been longing for ten years to come to Kashmir. His sisters asked him to get autographs from Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai when they heard he was planning to come to Mumbai.

“But I was surprised when Salman Khan, Juhi Chawla and Kajol came to see me in my hotel and wanted my autographs for their sisters.”
“Musical Jehad”

He reiterated his desire to bring India and Pakistan closer through music. On Saturday, Salman asked militants to join him in his “Musical Jehad” to bring peace and harmony.

This was in response to the UJC chief Syed Salahuddin’s request to the Pakistan government to stop them from coming here.

source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/26/stories/2008052654141300.htm
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

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Junoon takes over Kashmir




Jehangir Rashid



Srinagar, May 25: Asking Kashmiris not to give up their sentiments and emotions, Salman Ahmad, founder of the famous Junoon group of Pakistan on Sunday said that he would cherish the moment of performing in the “Paradise on Earth.”
“If you people have sentiment as well as emotions then don’t give it up and continue with it. Your emotions and your sentiment drives you along and it is therefore necessary one does not lose sight of the things,” said Salman before his performance at the lawns of the SKICC here where thousands of people had gathered.
Salman said that when he formed the band in 1998 it was a dream to perform before the people of Kashmir in Srinagar. He added that although it took him 10 years to fulfill the dream “I am thankful to the Almighty for bestowing upon me this great opportunity.”
“During my career I have performed at placeslike Mumbai, Delhi, Lahore and Chandigarh, but all along I had this desire to perform in Srinagar. When I first raised this demand the South Asian Federation (SAF) people said it was very difficult to perform here. However, in my heart of hearts I had this belief that one day my dream would be fulfilled,” said Salman.
The Junoon founder said that it was in November 2007 that he got a call from Madanjeet Singh, SAF founder asking him whether he is ready to perform in the Srinagar city. He said that he could not believe when was asked to perform in Srinagar, and without wasting any time he said “yes” to the invitation.
Playing hit numbers like Yaroo Yahi Tou Zindagi Hai Kismat Se Jo Mili Hai, Meri Awaz Suno Mujhe Azad Karo, Khudi Ko Kar Buland Itna Ki Khuda Bandhe Se Khud Pooche Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai, Saayien Tou He Mera Sucha Saayein Hai, Sayonee Chain Ik Pal Nahin Aur Koi Hal Nahin, Damaadam Mast Qalander Ali Shahbaaz Qalander and Allah Hu Allah Hu, the Junoon members enthralled the audience present on this occasion.
Joined by Sameer Chatterjee on tabla, Chris Jerry on guitar and Sunny Jain on drums, the performance of Junoon mesmerized the audience. The SAF delegates also enjoyed the performance of the famous group and they could be seen applauding each and every item number.
Before the performance of Junoon, the Singhs group also performed some of the items and they too caught the attention of the people present during the show. Led by Nikki Singh, this group performed many items and drew applauds from the crowd. The other members of the group who performed on this occasion were Peter Porchik (Guitar), Ravi Chari (Sitar) and Deepak Peters (Tabla).
Geetika Ganjoo played the anchor to the show which she said was being organized in connection with the launch of Kashmir Study Centre at University of Kashmir here. She said that SAF has been founded by Madanjeet Singh and India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Union Water Resources minister Prof Saif-ud-din Soz, former chief minister and NC Patron Farooq Abdullah, Director General Police Kuldeep Khoda, Afghan Women Affairs Minister Husana Bano Gazanfar, former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunge Bandranaike were among the SAF delegates present on the occasion.
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

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Pakistani band Junoon rocks Srinagar with peace message


Srinagar, May 25 (IANS) Trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir resonated with sounds of the guitar Sunday, as thousands here were held mesmerised by Pakistani rock band Junoon's eclectic fusion of Sufi music and western tunes.

'It is a 10-year tryst with destiny which has come true through our performance in Kashmir,' said an ecstatic Salman Ahmad, the lead artiste of the band.

'I sincerely hope this 'Junoon' (passion) spreads the message of love and friendship in entire South Asia,' he added.

'Kashmir is caught in Junoon fever today and I hope this fever continues to spread,' Ahmad said, as his band enthralled the nearly 4,000 strong audience comprising mostly the local youth.

The concert was declared open on the lawns of the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex off the Dal Lake by Mani Shankar Aiyar, union minister for Panchayati Raj, who is also the chairman of the South Asian Federation's (SAF) Indian chapter.

The band sang numbers from their album 'Sayoone' (Soulmate) to a receptive audience. Ahmad also sang a stanza from the band's famous album 'Azadi'.

As the concert progressed, the rock band changed to an even more feverish pitch with their famous lines 'Dama Dam Mast Qalander'.

Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, himself an ardent music lover and an amateur singer, looked visibly stirred as the concert moved from one composition to another.

SAF members Chandrika Kumaratunga, former president of Sri Lanka; Husna Bano, the Afghan minister of state for women's affairs; S. Makhdoom Rahim, Indian ambassador in Afghanistan; Madanjit Singh, Unesco goodwill ambassador; Abdul Waheed Khan, assistant director general of Unesco and a number of other SAF members from Maldives, Pakistan and Bangladesh were also among the audience.

The performance was one of the biggest musical event in the state that has been facing separatist violence for nearly two decades.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080525/r_t_ians_nl_general/tnl-pakistani-band-junoon-rocks-srinagar-b9e311f_1.html
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[shafling]

Thanks much Junoon for performing in my home town Kashmir. But sadly wasn't present there to see you guys. Hope you guys will come back again and next time the DEEWAR is broken and the initial Junoon team rock Srinagar.
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Shafat

[Spock]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7419975.stm

ournalist Zahid Rafiq witnessed a controversial concert in Indian-administered Kashmir at which star billing went to Pakistani band Junoon, which is well-known for publicly raising controversial issues such as HIV/Aids, the Kashmir dispute and corruption in Pakistan.

Women and men watched from separate enclosures
Women and men watched from separate enclosures (Photos: Farooq Khan)

Kashmir has never seen a music event like it. Every guitar riff made bodies sway in passion.

The thumping of the bass speakers matched the beating of the fans' hearts. Feet tapped, heads rocked, lips were in sync with the lyrics.

Junoon, one of the best Pakistani bands, was live on stage in Indian-administered Kashmir beside the shimmering waters of Srinagar's Dal Lake.

People had waited anxiously for Junoon's lead singer, Salman Ahmad, to appear in Sunday's concert.

Even before he sang the first note of his famous song, "Yaaro yehi dosti hay", the audience was on its feet.

Fans pressed closer to the stage.

"I gave the security a slip and entered into the VIP enclosure. I wouldn't even mind the commandos hitting me," one student, Beenish, told me.

"I wanted to catch a glimpse of Salman. I just love him and just imagine - he has come from Pakistan."


Opposition



The concert had been organised by a non-government organisation, the South Asia Foundation.

Salman Ahmad on stage in Srinagar
Salman Ahmad had to sing Junoon's best known song twice

It was also a part of celebrations held to mark the inauguration of the Kashmir Study Institute at Kashmir University.

Junoon, a Sufi pop band, is the first international group to perform in the conflict-torn Kashmir for the past two decades.

The event - for which entrance was by invitation card only - caused political controversy.

Leading Kashmiri militant, Syed Salahuddin, head of the Hizb-ul Mujahideen group, had urged the Pakistan government not to allow Junoon to travel to Srinagar.

He argued that the performance would have a negative impact on the "disputed status" of Kashmir and would send a wrong signal to the international community that "Kashmir was an integral part of India".

The student union body of the Kashmir University had also protested against the concert. As a result, many students stayed away.

The South Asia Foundation had anticipated up to 10,000 people in the audience. But the numbers were well below that.

Security worries

But that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who did attend.

One young man who hadn't received an invitation card managed to secure one for 500 rupees ($12).

"I bought the card from the money I had to pay for my tuitions but missing the concert was not an option. I had to make it here today," he said, gesturing to me to keep quiet.

"I want to hear him sing "Bulla shah".

In a separate enclosure, girls were up on their feet, their arms outstretched and hair flying. "It is amazing. This is the first concert I have attended and it is great," one said.

The heavy security did spoil the day for some.

"I felt like dancing sometimes but the number of guns around constantly made me feel that I am not welcome here," one student, Asif, said.

"The security guards pushing the people from the audience never let me go into the musical mode."

The high-point of the concert was Junoon's first chartbuster and their most famous song "Sayonee".

Even the VIP area was rocking. No one could resist joining in.

Farooq Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was the first one to sing along from the VIP area.

He made Director General of police, Kuldeep Khoda, raise his hands too. And then, the other dignitaries joined in.

The audience made Salman sing "Sayonee" again and this time the entire audience joined in.

It was a concert that will stay long in the memory.
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Logic is only the beginning of wisdom, not the end...

[3yz]

nice job sal, man i love his pants. does anyone know wht it says on it?? and where i can get one lol
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<!>Noori<!> ~untruly urs~

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video: http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=83203
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[khosh fami ka shikar]

zc is the man!!
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Good governance and the rule of law are of fundamental importance for Pakistan to develop as a nation and become part of the developed world.

[3yz]

^ i thought zc is a girl
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<!>Noori<!> ~untruly urs~

[zerocool]

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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan

[3yz]

^ so tell me are u a girl or a guy?? man i m confused
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<!>Noori<!> ~untruly urs~

[khosh fami ka shikar]

^lol,,no man; ZC is my boy from karachi
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Good governance and the rule of law are of fundamental importance for Pakistan to develop as a nation and become part of the developed world.

[3yz]

lol ok kool
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<!>Noori<!> ~untruly urs~