By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
Kolkata : Music and cricket are the best tools for bonding and friendship between the people of India and Pakistan, says singer Usha Uthup, adding she wants the better team to win the second Test here.
While singing in honour of the visiting Pakistani team and journalists, Uthup, best known for her “Ramba ho, ho, ho…” song of the 1980s film “Armaan”, said: “I strongly believe that music and cricket can bridge the gap between our two nations. But music wins in the end because in cricket you still fight on the field.”
The best moment of Thursday’s function, at which a souvenir of the second Test was released, came when Uthup invited Pakistani journalist Shahid Hashmi to the stage and sang a popular duet – “Pyaar karna bhi zaroori hai” from the film “Vaardat” – with him.
The event was also attended by chairman of Indian selectors Dilip Vengsarkar, Prasun Mukherjee, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Indian team’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh.
“This is a great combination. You have seen many partnerships but this is perhaps the best one – an Indian singer and a Pakistani journalist in a dosti duet,” said Usha.
Hashmi was overwhelmed at being “recognised” by Uthup, who appreciated his voice.
“It was a great honour for me to share the microphone with one of the best singers of India. It was a nice experience,” Hashmi said.
And before singing “Yeh dosti hum nahi torenge” from “Sholay”, Usha said: “This song is especially for our Pakistani guests. I believe the people of the two countries are still the same.”
Another song that engrossed the audience, especially Vengsarkar and Manali, was “Dum maaro dum” from the 1970s film “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”.
Usha, who has sung in 14 languages and has a five-man team of musicians, performed in English, Hindi and Punjabi, drawing applause from the Pakistani guests.