Though no one can cross the Indo-Pak border of the desert region of Rajasthan, the security guards could not stop Sindhi songs, penned by singers as their tribute to Pakistan’s late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, from reaching Barmer district’s villages.
Modern electronic gadgets such as mobile phones played an important role in bringing these Sindhi songs via Thar Express which connects both countries.
“Whether Muslim or Hindu, both have respect for the Bhutto family,” says a resident in Barmer.
There have been a wave of sympathy for Bhuttos in the region. The people on both sides have similar traditions, costumes, languages and always maintain a harmony between the two communities. “The Sindhis — both Hindu and Muslims — feel that the Bhutto family was victimised by the Pakistani establishment and their members were killed one by one. Sindhis have great sympathy for the family,” says a Pakistani Hindu, who migrated from Pakistan and settled in Barmer a decade back. “In latest songs, the singer praised Bhutto for her contribution to the Sindhi community and poverty-stricken people. It has voices of Ms Bhutto saying she will fight against forces like Taliban and will not be cowered,” says Khuda Bux, a resident of a village in Barmer.
“These songs are also used as ringtones in mobile phones,” he said.