For the first time since Independence, young talent from India and Pakistan team up on singing reality show Chhote Ustaad. Sunday Mid Day dropped by on the sets to see how the Independence Day episode, which airs on TV tonight, plays out a manufactured harmony
For the first time since Independence, young talent from India and Pakistan team up on singing reality show Chhote Ustaad. Sunday Mid Day dropped by on the sets to see how the Independence Day episode, which airs on TV tonight, plays out a manufactured harmony
There's no sign of the tiranga anywhere on set at Mehboob Studio in suburban Mumbai. That's the first thing you'd notice about the Independence Day episode of Chhote Ustaad -- Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz, a reality show featuring young singing talent from India and Pakistan. Kids wave white flags instead of the Indian tricolour. Several retakes later, the kids pull off a perfect lip-sync to Jai Ho -- a performance that would get music composer AR Rahman's nod, considering the non-political sentiment and white theme.u00a0 
Guest judge Asha Bhosle is flanked by Sonu Niigaam and Rahat Fateh
Ali Khan at the special Independence day episode
Participants give it their rehearsed all
A relative of a Pakistani contestant hugs another parent during wrap-up.
PICS/VIKAS MUNIPALLE
11 year-old Rosemary Mushtaq from Karachi, Pakistan, waits for her
turn to get on stage, with fellow contestant Shyamantan
Like most other shows, this one too is well-rehearsed and scripted. The hosts read from a teleprompter, judges have their act ready, kiddie contestants have been schooled on how to perform, even what to utter. Their songs are pre-recorded too. It's mostly about packaging and presentation.
All direct references to India have been left out, lest any lines are crossed. Independence day wishes are exchanged especially for the cameras. Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan hugs co-judge Sonu Niigaam and special guest for the episode Asha Bhosle. Instructions come in asking the kids to hug and wish each other with gusto.
An Indian contestant sings Mohammed Rafi's Aye Mere Pyare Watan. The song is pre-recorded, but teleaudiences are not going to figure. He fake-emotes impressively. Niigaam tells his audience, "I would not sing this song just as an Indian patriotic song, but as someone who is a citizen of the world. A patriotic song can be sung by anyone. Whether you are from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan or Russia, its meaning will still hold true, the love for your nation will still hold true." His voice holds enough emotion to leave the audience cheering.
Suddenly a euphoric chorus of voices echoes across the studio. "We love you, Didi." "We want to meet you Didi." "Please come on the show, we want to touch your feet." The show's producer puts them on speaker-phone with playback legend and Bhosle's sister Lata Mangeshkar. "My blessings are always with you," says Mangeshkar from the other end. This is perhaps one of the few real moments that flicker in a sea of staged nuggets.
It's tough to believe it's all for effect. Even the Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz tagline that's repeated ad nauseum by presenters Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots) and Chinmayi, ends up ringing true, when the two touch their palms to their hearts on cue.
It's hard to miss a police van stationed outside the studio to ward off threats from political parties that have stirred an anti-Pakistan reaction to Pakistan nationals on the sets. Karachi participant Waniya's mother Dr Yasmin Jibran, who is the only woman to have travelled to India from Pakistan (all other participants have been accompanied by their fathers), says arriving in India has been an unbelievable experience. "I never dreamt I'd be able to make it here or meet a music icon like Asha Bhosle who we've all grown up listening to. I have received love and made many friends. I go out, shop at malls. The parents spend time playing cards," she says of the bond she has forged with relatives of the Indian participants.
Meenu Chaturvedi and her husband from Amritsar share Jibran's enthusiasm for an unexpected cultural meet. Jibran has been exercising her vocals with parents from across the border. "We alsosing together while our children rehearse," she smiles.
It's one big happy family, with participants and parents from across the broder living in adjacent villas in the suburb of Malad. Of course, the show works on the plot that the children are required to play, eat and sing together.
Pakistani participant Fahad, 10, says, "Freedom for me is to be able to come to India and make friends here." While 11 year-old Rosemary Mushtaq from Karachi, Pakistan, says, "To sit by the sea and play the guitar is freedom."
It's all smiles for the camera. Shock is reserved for private moments. Some kids from Pakistan experienced a culture shock when they arrived. "Allah, allah, yahaan ladkiya kitne chhote kapde pehenti hain!" said one. On the sets of a reality show, lines like these are gems that don't make it to any script. At least, not yet.
Chhote Ustaad's Independence Day special episode will be telecast at 9 pm on Star Plus tonight
The bhaichara format on The show, 20 kids aged 8 to 14 years compete in pairs. Each pair is made up of one contestant from India and one from Pakistan. The kids can choose to sing solo or a duet in every episode. The choice of song is theirs too.
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