The biggest music show with India and Pakistan taking centre stage, Sur Kshetra, was announced recently. This announcement immediately created a lot of buzz and excitement about the show that will premiere on 8th September. Unfortunately, Sur Kshetra also had to face its share of detractors, but the team had fitting replies for the naysayers.
The Raj Thackeray- led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena announced that they had a problem with Asha Bhosle being a part of a show that showcased Pakistani talent alongside Indian singers. The bone of contention was that they would not allow people from the country responsible for terror attacks in India to be promoted on an Indian show. The political party had threatened to disrupt the shoot of the show if Asha Bhosle continued with it.
Asha Bhosle was well aware of these negative comments when she stepped out to speak during the launch event. But the veteran singer showed no signs of distress when she said,”Music has no religion, no country, no caste. It is just plain and simple music.” This line was met by enthusiastic nods from her co-judges Abida Parveen and Runa Laila, along with applause from the audience. 

And Asha Bhosle didn't stop at that. When asked to react to the threats being given by the MNS, she said, “I'm a simple artist. I have never been politically inclined, so I don't know what the fuss is about. But I love Raj Thackeray and I know that he likes my songs.I don't even have time to read the newspapers. So I won't say anything about it.”
Asha Bhosle's upbeat and positive attitude removed the sting out of the threats that MNS had declared against the show. And sure enough, the next day, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said,”This time we will let the show carry on. But next time if any show has Pakistani participants, we will not let the show happen.”

Music and art, as Asha Bhosle said, knows no borders. And the fact that Sur Kshetra is proceeding without a hitch, proves that fact. We hope that the show unites the people of Pakistan and India over the common bond of music. After all, the tagline of the show does say 'Where Music Wins'.