M A I N   N E W S

EU envoys, top honchos set the tone for Zubin’s Kashmir show
M Aamir Khan/TNS

Musical feast Zubin Mehta (pic) to conduct ‘Bayerische Staatsorchester’ (Bavarian State Orchestra) from Munich, one of the best classical orchestras The concert will be held at Srinagar’s famed Shalimar Bagh on Sept 7 It will be broadcast live by TV channels across India and Europe Over 100 musicians of international fame to accompany Mehta European Union Ambassadors, high-profile industrialists, corporate heads on the 1,500-strong guest list

Srinagar, August 27
Come September 7, and international music maestro Zubin Mehta will enchant Kashmiris with the timeless Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky compositions at Srinagar’s famed Shalimar Bagh, also known as the Mughal Garden.

The special concert being organised by the German Embassy will see a host of high-profile personalities ranging from ambassadors of various European countries to industrialists and heads of international corporate houses.

Around 1,500 guests from Kashmir and across the country are expected to attend the event, preparations for which are on.

‘Ehsaas-e-Kashmir’ (feel of Kashmir) will witness Mumbai-born Mehta conducting ‘Bayerische Staatsorchester’ (Bavarian State Orchestra) from Munich, one of the best classical orchestras.

“Music is a universal language. With the magic power of music, crossing geographical, political and cultural borders, we want to reach the hearts of the Kashmiris with a message of hope and encouragement. The concert is for the people of Kashmir,” said German Ambassador Michael Steiner.

Mehta, who had last visited the Valley in 1974, had said it was his dream to perform in Kashmir. “I wish one day I could play in Kashmir. I will cancel every appointment to come and do that,” Mehta had said in July last year as per media reports.

“Organising a Zubin Mehta orchestra here is a challenging task as the Valley is not used to hosting such high-profile events,” said CEO of Kashmir Caravans, Muzaffar Andrabi, who has been appointed the official travel agent for the show. He said a fleet of luxury vehicles will be flown in to the summer capital for the VVIPs. Besides the guests, he said Mehta will be accompanied by nearly 100 musicians of international fame. The show will be hosted by Bollywood actress Gul Panag.

The event, being organised with the support of the state and Central authorities, is scheduled to be held in the open. In case the weather plays spoilsport, authorities have Plan B: The venue will be shifted to the Kashmir University Convocation Centre.

The Valley’s tourism industry is upbeat about the concert. On the other hand, both Hurriyat factions have urged the German Embassy to not organise the event in Kashmir. Grand Mufti Bashiruddin has also opposed the concert.