Journey of SAANJH since 2004

With ‘Saanjh-2010-7^th Amritsar-Lahore Festival’ finally at our doorstep, strains of harmony, brotherhood and commonness in cultures of East and West Punjab are ringing loud and clear. As we celebrate this festival of peace we find ourselves highly indebted to late Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu and late Mrs Manveen Sandhu, who, in collaboration with Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore, took the initial steps to unite hearts on both sides of the border through a cultural exchange. ‘Saanjh’ was born in 2004, as an outcome of their belief that it was time to rise above the senseless cynicism with which we had been viewing our next door neighbors since the Partition.

Saanjh – 2004

Focus: Bridging the gap in understanding each other's thought process.

Saanjh was started in 2004 with the aim of bringing people on both sides of the border together by enabling artists from both countries to share the stage for the first time. The event featured renowned artists and personalities including Iqbal Bahu, Sayin Zahoor, Goonga Sayin Dholia, Mithu Sayin Dholia, Multan Folk Dance Group, sisters Zohra Sehgal and Uzra Bhatt (Ek Thee Nani- Ajoka Theatre Production), a documentary ‘Lattoo’ by Faizan Peerzada, Dr. Angelica from Henerich Foundation, Germany, and a talk on Sufi Music by Dr. Sarwat Ali, professor, National College of Art, Lahore.

Saanjh – 2005

Focus: Playing the ‘Good Samaritan’ or empathy for the neighbor in difficult times.

The devastating effects of the earthquake that ravaged India and Pakistan became the focus of Saanjh celebrations in 2005. The organizers focused their attention and funds on the earthquake victims and decided to send relief material to affected people across the border. This year’s events had a mellow tone evident in the enactment of 'Naquab-The Veil' written by Late Rafi Peerzada, based on the 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese Cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and its devastating effect. Dr. Shivinder Singh Sandhu and Mrs. Manveen Sandhu appealed to people to maintain communal harmony. They condoled with the kin of those who had died in pre Diwa1i bomb blasts in New Delhi.

Saanjh - 2006

Focus: Recognition and integration of cultural oneness.

TRANSCENDING borders with soulful performances that tug on the intellect, the heart and the soul with equal force, Indian and Pakistani artistes converged on a common platform in 'Saanjh-2006'. This fest featured Allah Ditta Lonawala, Sayin Zahoor, Nautanki by Rafi Peer Theatre Group, the Jat Brothers, Pooran Chand Wadali of Wadali Brothers fame and Saida Begum from Puran Shah Koti Gharana, classical award-winning films and documentaries from India and Pakistan.

Saanjh - 2007

Focus: Joining hands to spread the message of brotherhood to the entire South Asia.

In keeping with the theme of spreading brotherhood in South Asia with a campaign titled ‘Ab Sarhadein Nahin’ noted Indian and Pakistani singers shared the stage to spread the message of peace during the celebration of Saanjh in 2007. Noted singer Arif Lohar son of legendary Punjabi folk singer Alam Lohar, Surriya Khanum the voice of the desert ofCholistan, Arieb Azhar- an ideal combination of traditional and contemporary Sufi singing and rising star singer ofIndia Lakhwinder Wadali son of legendary singer Padam Bhushan Ustad Puran Chand Wadali performed together.

SAANJH 2008

Focus: Let there be Peace

Discussions on global terrorism, considering the bomb blasts at various places in India and Pakistan, dominated the Fifth SAANJH-Amritsar-Lahore Festival in 2008. The festival also showcased Sufi and folk singers from India and Pakistan, who performed together to promote harmony between both nations. A team of journalists from Pakistan led by Imtiaz Alam, President, South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), interacted with their Indian counterparts on issues as peace, terrorism, Indo-Pak trade, relaxation of visa norms and opening of borders. 'Sufi-Ka-Sultan' Akbar Ali and 'Mati-ke-Lal' Lakhwinder Wadali and Ashraf Khan performed together for the first time in the holy city of Sri Amritsar during this festival.

Saanjh-2009

Focus: ‘Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification’

In 2009, South Asian Federation (SAF) joined Punarjyot, Amritsar, and Rafi Peer Theatre Group, Lahore, as a partner in peace. This year’s peace fest featured Pak Rights Activist Asma Jehangir, Salima Hashmi a Pakistani artist and daughter renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Teesta Seetalvad, a Mumbai based Journalist, Activist and Educator, a four-day film festival on the theme of peace, thespian artiste Neeta Mohindra, from Amritsar, Sheema Kirmani (The only Odissi and Bharatnatyam performer in Pakistan), Sania Saeed, TV personality from Pakistan, Raghu Dixit, composer- song writer-singer from India, Sain Zahoor, Pakistani folk singer, Goonga Sain, Mithu Sain, Mangniars, Pakistani singers Arif Lohar and Tina Sani and Bharti Bandhu, of India