Bosnia is not just about war and genocide. The country has moved beyond those tragic days. The world too should view it from a fresh perspective.” Through words and music Bosnian singer Amira Medunjanin makes an earnest effort to fill the gap between the image and reality of her country.
She believes Bosnia’s image is caught in the proverbial time warp and needs to be rescued, “The war happened 20 years ago, Bosnians have picked up the pieces and rebuilt their lives.”
For someone like Amira, music has played a pivotal role in the healing process. She found her calling in Sevdah, a traditional music, which originally has Turkish roots, but over time, developed a distinct Bosnian flavour.
“Sevdah songs are more than 500 years old. It thrives on a deep-seated melancholy, and touches an emotional chord of love and longing. In Bosnia it is a traditional song that we learn from our ancestors. It is considered as a national treasure and has been preserved for centuries. On a personal level, my first brush with Sevdah songs happened through my mother,” she says.
The musical lessons of her childhood days became a companion for life. So deep was her bonding that during the years when Sarajevo was under siege, Amira, the teenager would take risks, simply to attend the underground concerts. “We desperately grabbed every semblance of normalcy. Music provided the solace and the risks were worth it,” a smile resonates her words.
Recently the famous voice from the Balkans travelled to Kolkata as part of a musical soiree organised by Indo-Bosnia and Herzegovina Cultural Association. Here in eastern India, the lyrics may have been foreign for the listeners, but Amira’s haunting voice and her passion for her craft left them all mesmerised. Playing down the power of her vocal rendition, she modestly adds, “All an artiste requires, is to create a genuine connect. Language can never be a barrier.”
Her maiden visit to India has been brief, but the singer is confident of returning soon and for a longer duration. “I am here for 25 hours only, that’s the sad part. India is definitely popular back home. People simply love watching Indian movies. I too, have watched quite a few movies of Bollywood hero, Aamir Khan, he is a fine actor,” she says. On a final note, ask her what she will remember the most about India? Amira replies in an instant, “The warmth of the people. People here, never let you feel like an outsider.”