Last weekend in Mumbai, I attended an event to celebrate PETA’s 10th anniversary in India. PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and they are the world’s foremost animal rights organisation. I’ve worked with them several times over the years, on various issues ranging from updating animal protection laws, to banning zoos. It was a lovely event, with many Bollywood actors and other people such as my father, myself and santoor player Rahul Sharma receiving awards for our work with them. It was lovely to be honoured, but really, I have to hand it to the incredible people who work with PETA and organisations like theirs on a more fulltime basis. While there is still a long way to go, it’s incredible what they have achieved, and how much they have done to lessen the suffering of animals.
Two nights later, in Delhi, CNN-IBN hosted their annual event to honour a few people in various categories, including AR Rahman in Music, and Saina Nehwal in Sports. My father received the Lifetime Achievement award there, and so we went. I loved seeing Saina in the flesh; her youth and freshness are infectious and I’m such an admirer of what she has achieved in her field. I also finally met Rahman for the first time; his has been one of the biggest success stories of the year for India, and it was nice to be able to congratulate him for that in person.
While at the event, my mind went off on a slight tangent about one thing. Did you know my father wrote the music for the song “Sare Jahan Se Achcha?” A lot of people don’t know that, but it’s true. And it’s one of those songs I find frustrating, because people seem to think it’s okay to just use it any way they wish. They alter the tune, they add any kinds of beats and background to it they wish. And I’m in two minds about that. In one sense, I see the appeal of doing so as it possibly broadens the audience for the song. But really, I believe the song deserves some respect as one of our national songs. We wouldn’t do that to the anthem, would we? I think that particular song deserves to be preserved in it’s original form rather than being altered to various states of recognition, like it was at that event.
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. I just realised that by the time I write my next column, it will be next year! So let me take the chance to wish you all the happiest New Year. Let’s all make it the best we can, take the biggest bites of our life we can, and also give back to our earth the best way we can.
{{/usCountry}}Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. I just realised that by the time I write my next column, it will be next year! So let me take the chance to wish you all the happiest New Year. Let’s all make it the best we can, take the biggest bites of our life we can, and also give back to our earth the best way we can.
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