Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai's work is not unknown to the world. She stands out as an inspiration to deprived, oppressed and marginalized populations with her sheer grit, determination and guts demonstrated by her in the wake of an attack on her by the Pakistani Taliban because she was defying their diktat of disallowing girls from the Swat valley in Pakistan to attend school. The youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala bravely survived a horrendous and brutal attack to continue with her relentless advocacy for empowering young girls through the medium of education. My interface with her work began when I was gifted her autobiography (I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2013) by my brother.
http://www.womensweb.in/2015/02/malalas-autobiography-book-review/. It proved to be an inspiring read. It also sent shivers down my spine as I read about her and her father's struggle to educate young boys and girls in Pakistan and the opposition that they encountered in their endeavours. This line of hers remains etched in my mind and over time me and my family have come to admire this young and little but gutsy and spirited lady from Pakistan - "One Child, One Teacher, One Pen And One Book Can Change The World".
In Nepal last year, for SIT's (School of International Training) CONTACT South Asia program, I heard Malala speak from the platform of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Once again she inspired me with her very articulate ideas about how education can transform the world. It was a delightful moment for Indians and Pakistanis sharing the forum to hear to Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian and Malala, a Pakistani share the Nobel peace prize together. This came as an affirmation of the fact that if these two enemy countries joined hands, they could conquer the world. The purpose that drove Satyarthi and Malala was also very similar ... upliftment and betterment of children, the hope for this world.
And then to give me more inspiration, came a song on Malala which got me glued the very first time I listened to it on YouTube. The song is titled "Malala gives me Hope" and is a tribute by a music band in Pakistan 'Laal' to the courage shown by Malala. This song for me gives the perfect message of peace and combines the power of music and feminism to effectively demonstrate what one young lady full of courage can do to change this world in her own way. Just listen to this song and you will know about Malala's story, how she faced the extremist elements of Taliban, how she continued to fight for the girl child's rights despite the threats to her life and the way she came to be known as Pakistan's brave voice who did not fear those who were manipulating religion to meet their selfish ends. The song is spirited, full of beats, amazing lyrics which convey the essence of Malala's struggle and its impact in Pakistan and has the right, upbeat mood to make you listen to it again and again. Once I'd heard this song, I just could not stop listening to it because to me it was a wonderful and brilliantly done job of using music as a tool to communicate change and peace. Music and words associated with it can be a tool for social change and the song by Laal just proves this right. It is a significant way of conducting advocacy over an issue. The song was recorded in English and that remains my only grouse, Because the song should reach all corners of Pakistan and South Asia, and English is a language that most are not familiar with in the sub-continent. So, recording the song in various native languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi can be helpful. Albeit, the song successfully weaves in a narrative of Malala's life story and this is the message that should reach out to audiences. The song was released in 2013 and features lead guitarist and vocalist Taimur Rahman and Haider Rahman on flute (http://tribune.com.pk/story/578644/malala-inspires-documentary-song-at-home-and-abroad/). It is gratifying to hear this song because it is just near to perfect in symbolizing Malala's struggle and rightly creates an atmosphere that denounces war and extremism. It has a story like feel to it. It gives hope and does not shy away of directly confronting issues that face Pakistan in modern times.
Music in any language can be the most impactful medium of promoting peace because music has a universal language ... a language that nobody really knows yet understands. Music remains an ageless, timeless and immortal medium that people can easily connect with and relate to. I have realized this repeatedly, especially when I listen to musicians like Yanni who with their soulful music have managed to sway audiences irrespective of gender, nationality and religion. The power that music possesses can comfortably transcend man made barriers. Even as an Indian, listening to this song filled me with a feeling of peace, tranquility and inspiration, even making me dance to its tune. It filled me with more pride and respect for Malala and her mission. Truly music can connect even enemies and bring them to the same page. I am sure, after listening to this song you all will share my thoughts on the power of music to promote peace.
http://www.womensweb.in/2015/02/malalas-autobiography-book-review/. It proved to be an inspiring read. It also sent shivers down my spine as I read about her and her father's struggle to educate young boys and girls in Pakistan and the opposition that they encountered in their endeavours. This line of hers remains etched in my mind and over time me and my family have come to admire this young and little but gutsy and spirited lady from Pakistan - "One Child, One Teacher, One Pen And One Book Can Change The World".
In Nepal last year, for SIT's (School of International Training) CONTACT South Asia program, I heard Malala speak from the platform of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Once again she inspired me with her very articulate ideas about how education can transform the world. It was a delightful moment for Indians and Pakistanis sharing the forum to hear to Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian and Malala, a Pakistani share the Nobel peace prize together. This came as an affirmation of the fact that if these two enemy countries joined hands, they could conquer the world. The purpose that drove Satyarthi and Malala was also very similar ... upliftment and betterment of children, the hope for this world.
And then to give me more inspiration, came a song on Malala which got me glued the very first time I listened to it on YouTube. The song is titled "Malala gives me Hope" and is a tribute by a music band in Pakistan 'Laal' to the courage shown by Malala. This song for me gives the perfect message of peace and combines the power of music and feminism to effectively demonstrate what one young lady full of courage can do to change this world in her own way. Just listen to this song and you will know about Malala's story, how she faced the extremist elements of Taliban, how she continued to fight for the girl child's rights despite the threats to her life and the way she came to be known as Pakistan's brave voice who did not fear those who were manipulating religion to meet their selfish ends. The song is spirited, full of beats, amazing lyrics which convey the essence of Malala's struggle and its impact in Pakistan and has the right, upbeat mood to make you listen to it again and again. Once I'd heard this song, I just could not stop listening to it because to me it was a wonderful and brilliantly done job of using music as a tool to communicate change and peace. Music and words associated with it can be a tool for social change and the song by Laal just proves this right. It is a significant way of conducting advocacy over an issue. The song was recorded in English and that remains my only grouse, Because the song should reach all corners of Pakistan and South Asia, and English is a language that most are not familiar with in the sub-continent. So, recording the song in various native languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi can be helpful. Albeit, the song successfully weaves in a narrative of Malala's life story and this is the message that should reach out to audiences. The song was released in 2013 and features lead guitarist and vocalist Taimur Rahman and Haider Rahman on flute (http://tribune.com.pk/story/578644/malala-inspires-documentary-song-at-home-and-abroad/). It is gratifying to hear this song because it is just near to perfect in symbolizing Malala's struggle and rightly creates an atmosphere that denounces war and extremism. It has a story like feel to it. It gives hope and does not shy away of directly confronting issues that face Pakistan in modern times.
Sample these lines
Well the Taliban they run the country
From the north of Wazirstan
They make a few of their people happy
They don't care about the rest of them
They have supporter in higher places
Who turn their heads to the city sun
And they given them the fancy money
To tempt anyone who come
In its praise of Malala, the song also exposes the various issues that plague Pakistan and how the government in that country is turning a blind eye to these. In such a despondent scenario, there is still hope, as the song conveys, in the form of Malala who is the shining light for Pakistan and its young men and women. The ultimate form of 'hope' is Malala because she dared to raise her voice against those who were hell bent upon denying rights and freedom to young girls in Pakistan, therefore, robbing Pakistan of its bright future. The theme of hope runs through the song and through the last lines this hope for peace is kept alive when the singer hums -
Can't you see that the tide is turning
Don't make me wait till the morning comes
Will definitely check out the song! Thanks for sharing Nidhi Di! :)
ReplyDeleteMalala has always inspired me Shruti :)
ReplyDelete