Iqbal Mahal returns from Pakistan with a sense of wistfulness

Lovleen Bains

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Doraha, October 10

Iqbal Mahal, a renowned broadcaster and custodian of Punjabi culture abroad, who was recently invited and honoured by various organisations of Pakistan for his love for preserving and promoting the rich Punjabi culture home and abroad, has returned, but with a tinge of pain in his heart.

“The Punjabis on the other side just want unification. Love, understanding and passion is what they have for their brothers residing in his side of Punjab. We wish a free movement on both sides without checks and boundaries. We earnestly desire our brothers to visit us often and we, too, should be able to reciprocate their visit off and on, express our Punjabi brothers residing there,” said the literary author and music promoter.

Mahal shared: “Punjabis in Pakistan wish that the culture, language and music on the either side should prosper and singers, culture lovers, writers and actors should frequently undertake exchange programmes and spread the message of love, peace and harmony and find out a permanent solution to the problem which has plagued both nations and rendered many homes barren and hearts bereaved,” he said.

He conveyed the message given by Punjabis on the other side to their brothers through the following lines:

“Dilan Vich Dard Hove, Te Mohabbat Da Chalan Hove,

Koi Mera Vatan Hove, Koi Tera Vatan Hove

Kade Mein Tere Ghar Awan, Kade Tu Ghar Mere Avi

Ikatthe Beh Dua Kariye, Aman Hove, Aman Hove”

(Let there be pain in the heart and love in our lives; Be it my country or yours; Sometimes I should visit your home and you mine; Let’s sit together and pray, let there be peace, let there be peace.)

Iqbal Mahal said: “The love I received from people in Pakistan all these days was not bound by boundaries. It was pure love with no malign feeling whatsoever. The social media definitely has a constructive role to play as it has an immense power to put an end to all sorts of animosity and usher in an era of love and peace in both nations. When governments fail to find any constructive solution, it the public which has to intervene and teach the respective governments that politics shall no more work out; love is the only feasible and reasonable approach that may, though not restore the lost but at least prevent further devastation.”

Mahal was especially invited and honoured by the Punjab Institute of Languages, Art and Culture, Lahore, with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. He was also felicitated by Punjabi Sangat Pakistan (PSP), an organisation of Pakistani Punjabi writers, which presented him a souvenir. The Punjabi Khoj Garh Lulyani, Kasur, Pakistan, too, honoured Iqbal Mahal for his love towards Punjabi language. He was also felicitated by the Society for Upliftment of Cultural Heritage (SUCH) Gujrat Pakistan Wijdan Lahore, Voice of Mysticism, with Wijdan Peace Award.

Mahal has emerged as an ambassador for promoting cultural and racial harmony in Canada, especially spreading Indian music and Punjabi folklore since 1976. He established his radio and television network “Punjab Di Awaj” in 1981.

His main contributions include production of North-American musical works of Indian and Indo-Canada culture. Born in India in 1946, Iqbal migrated to the UK in 1963 before finally settling in Toronto, Canada. A mechanical engineer by profession and a writer and artist by passion, Iqbal has authored books, besides making films and video productions.