“I didn’t choose Kashmir, Kashmir chose me.” This is how renowned international music conductor Zubin Mehta reacted brushing aside controversies over his concert on the banks of the Dal lake in Srinagar on Saturday.
Mr Mehta, an Indian-origin maestro in western classical music who conducts Bavarian State Orchestra, refused to comment controversies surrounding the performance of his troupe in Shalimar Bagh gardens saying he was just here to play music.
“I don’t have anything to say to them (those opposing his concert)....We are playing our music,” he said.
“I am extremely happy (about performing in Kashmir). I hope and wish for the blessings of the people and the country for our music,” he said.
Mr Mehta, who was decorated with the Tagore Award for Communal Harmony by President Pranab Mukhe-rjee, said “music is the message of peace”.