Kya Hindu Kya Musalmaan, Kya Sikh Aur Kya Isaahi….
Kya Hindu Kya Musalmaan, Kya Sikh Aur Kya Isaahi….
Aug 09
Let me start with a fresh new article ( first time on the internet world and digital media ) on one of the most Memorable Tour of Live-Shows of Kishore Kumar.
This was the time when Kishoreda was at his peak. This was the time to have his quota of Housefull shows. No wonder he was the most wanted showman in the Hindi Film Industry in the mid 70′s.
Through these important articles, I want to reveal atleast one facet of Kishoreda, which is seldom seen in the media. This one has equality in religion. Sarva Dharma Samabhaav.
Source : various Film magazines in and around 28 May 1976.
Zululand
It was a 45 days singing tour of South Africa, and in Kishoreda’s own words “it was a memorable experience“. There were total 25 shows in places like Durban, Johannesburg & Capetown. Each one of them a housefull.
Kishoreda says “There were some 5000 of them at Durban airport to receive us. Shows started at 8 pm and lasted beyond midnight“.
Yogita Bali went on the stage at the end of each show.
Kishoreda stayed at the Cabana Beach House, where whites were allowed.
When Amit Kumar went to the sea for a dip, he was promptly asked to leave – the loudspeaker announced “Indians get out of the water and go to the beach earmarked for you”
Amit Kumar said “What a humiliating experience !”They could not see some very good films due to “Whites Only” cinemas. Yogita Bali wore western clothes and was mistaken for an Italian, since she was accompanied by an Italian friend.
Kishoreda said “A section of the local Muslim leadership were anti-Hindu. They advised members not to patronize the shows ( these shows were for the fund-raising of a Hindiu temple ). A few muslims attended the show though”
In an interview to POST, Kishoreda said “Such things did not happen in India. We have big Muslim following and Muslim artists had millions of Hindu admirers. My colleague Mohd. Rafi had sung to raise funds for building a Kaali Temple in Bombay. Rafi saab had also sung some of the best Bhajans recorded in India”
The Times also carried news of Kishoreda.
Kishoreda visited The Lions park in J’Burg, Zululand near Durban & Tablemountain outside Cape Town.
Interesting read.
British India was also like this where notice boards “Indians (and Dogs) are not allowed” were displayed at places which were frequented by British people.
Now SA should be fine after Mandela’s revolution.
India too has places where dress codes are imposed.
and unfortunately many religious places still discriminate on the basis of caste and religion.
India is not free from discrimination.
Very nice article. Do you know, this was one of his defense counsels against the Sanjay Gandhi brigade – that he had earned quite some foreign exchange – esp from Africa.
Nopes, was not aware of this !
Perhaps Kishore Kumar said it best (with RDB and Anand Bakshi) in his song from Mahachor:
Hindu hoon na Musalmaan hoon
Mazhab se main ek insaan hoon
….
Yes Robin bhai ! Asad Bhopali’s lyrics are in the title of the post !