Wouldn't have sought citizenship if India was intolerant: Adnan Sami

Singer says the love he has received from Indians is everything for him

Amidst the clamour over the rising intolerance in India, Pakistani singer Adnan Sami, who requested to stay in the country on humanitarian grounds earlier this year, said that he wouldn't have sought Indian citizenship if there was such an issue.

"If there was intolerance in India, would I have asked for citizenship in the country? I believe actions speak louder than words," said Adnan at a session of Agenda Aaj Tak in New Delhi on Saturday.

Adnan was granted permission to stay in India in August. The singer, who came to India on a visitor's visa, had been staying in the country since March 2001.



He also expressed his opinion about the controversy surrounding the cancellation of popular ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's performances in Mumbai and Pune due to protests by the Shiv Sena.

"Yes, he should perform. Everybody should perform. Music does not have colour or religion. If I listen to a song, I don't care about the colour, religion or country of the singer. It doesn't matter even if it is in another language because I love the music," he said.

"If Michael Jackson recorded his music in Los Angeles or London, how does it matter? It (the music) reached me, I like it and that's it. If the music touches you, then it shouldn't matter," he added.



When asked about his role in fostering India-Pakistan relations, Adnan said that as a singer, his "job is to create music and harmony".

"I am a singer, my job is to create music and harmony. Wherever I see harmony, I would go towards there. There is nothing more beautiful for a musician to listen and see harmony," he added.

As far as the controversy over the India and Pakistan cricket series is concerned, the singer said, "Yes, cricket should be played. Nothing will happen out of that, but why not. Let's get real. It will happen one day, but in the meanwhile let's play cricket. Let's play ball, at least somewhere."



The singer, who shot to mainstream popularity in India with hit songs like Kabhi To Nazar Milao and Lift Karaa De, said that the love he has received from Indians is "everything" for him.

PHOTO: AMAZON

"When my first album came out, it wasn't Bollywood. The love that I received from people was everything and it still is everything for me. After 16 years, it is not just the land where I work, but also my home and my love," said Adnan.

"Today, I feel proud when a good thing happens in the country. If there is a new airport in Mumbai, I would feel proud about it, and I equally feel angry when I see potholes," he added.