Culture & Lifestyle /
India And Pakistan Celebrate 69th Independence Day
Every year, Indians and Pakistanis get together at the Wagah border on August 14 and 15 to light candles and wish each other a happy Independence Day.
The end of British colonial rule in 1947 marked the creation of these two independent states, the Hindu-majority India and the Muslim-majority Pakistan.
There's a unique, special beating retreat ceremony that takes place at the Wagah border on Independence Day. Activities like sword fighting, cultural dances and performances are exhibited to roaring crowds.
Pakistanis and Indians cheer slogans such as “Hindustan Zindabad," “Pakistan Zindabad” and "Hindustan-Pakistan Dosti Zindabad” on the occasion, reiterating the hopes for continued unity and peace among both nations. There have been candlelight vigils for the past two decades where Hindustanis and Pakistanis gather together at the border and raise their lit candles to symbolize love and prosperity for all.
Photo Credit: www.punjabnewsexpress.com
In this celebration of unity, there have been many creative initiatives in India and Pakistan where artists and musicians band together to show exhibit designs and songs that promote the coexistence of both countries. On August 14, Taxi Fabric (a dream team of designers whose initiative is to exhibit their designs in Mumbai's iconic taxicabs) launched their ninth taxi with Karachi-based artist Samya Arif.
“I based my designs on the idea that Indians and Pakistanis are essentially the same people, coming from similar roots and focusing on our commonalities and unique characteristics at the same time,” Arif said.
Photo Credit: www.taxifabric.tumblr.com
“India and Pakistan. Separated at birth, siblings who grew up and forgot how much they love each other,” is the sentimental thought behind her design.
Photo Credit: www.taxifabric.tumblr.com
Music and art can always bring people together, no matter what their race or religion is. Musicians are following in that spirit as well, coming up with catchy, fun songs that promote love and unity.
Aisi Taisi Democracy, a comedy and musical show featuring Indian Ocean's Rahul Ram and Delhi's angry satirist Sanjay Rajoura, released a sneak peek of their rendition of Kishore Kumar's "Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein," called "Mere Saamnewali Sarhad Mein." The sneak peek offers a very quirky and sarcastic play on what's occurring in both nations. But at the end of the day, everyone looks and is the same.
Another song that praises coexistence is by Euphoria singer and actor Dr Palash Sen. He's joined his talents with Pakistani rock band Mizmaar to create a very special song called "Yeh Dil." The new song aims to promote unity between India and Pakistan. Dr Sen was recently the lead actor in the Hindi movie Aisa Yeh Jahaan.
Dr. Sen said in a statement: “'Yeh Dil' is my first official collaboration with Pakistani Rock Giants Mizmaar on the eve of Pakistan and India’s Independence Day. The message is simple . . . . God has no religion, love knows no boundaries. . . . And we won't let politicians and terrorists tell us what to do. . . . We won't fear anymore. . . . Today, music has crossed the line of control and nobody has the guts or power to stop it . . . . Mizmaar and I believe that each one of us, the citizens of India and Pakistan, have the power to choose love over hate, peace over violence and brotherhood over politics."
Let's end with an Independence Day throwback. Last year on Independence Day, Indian Band Maati Baani released the first-ever online collaboration of their song "Rang Rangiya" with Pakistani and Indian artists. The song features Komal Rizvi and guitarist Omran Shafique from Pakistan.
Make sure to add these tracks to your #independenceday playlist. We wish all of our readers from both nations a very happy Independence Day!
Main Image Photo Credit: www.dnaindia.com
Nomaan Khan
Author
After spending some time in a completely different field, Nomaan decided to drop it all and switch to Mohawk College to pursue his longtime interest in the world of Journalism. His experience working in multimedia platforms has helped him develop exceptional skills in thinking on his feet, being ...
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