Cultural institutions have an impact that transcends national boundaries and supports soft power diplomacy. Mutual artistic manifestations promote understanding and goodwill between the nations and present a favorable picture of them to the outside world.
Exchanging cultural expressions, promoting understanding, and creating connections between countries are all part of cultural diplomacy. Collaborations on literary, musical, artistic, and historic preservation projects are among the endeavors.
Academic partnerships, collaborative exhibitions, and cross-border cultural festivals all contribute to dispelling misconceptions and developing a more nuanced understanding of one another’s cultures. The art that touches people’s hearts and souls is found in cultural institutions. Using it, we can concentrate on addressing problems related to religious fanaticism, conflict, violence, war, and peace.
Sheema Kirmani, a Pakistani classical dancer, says, “When we started creating theatrical performances, we discovered that we had started a dialogue with our audience. The response to the plays we were performing directed our attention toward seriously adopting the performing arts as a medium for our work and for conveying our message.
The feedback we received from the plays we were performing encouraged us to take the performing arts seriously as a medium for our work and message delivery. The performing arts are also an excellent way for us to share our art and culture with other nations, especially Bangladesh and India. Unofficial political relationship-building can take place there.”
Pakistani performing arts organizations also invite famous theatre figures from other countries as guest artists. Dr. Jamel Ahmed, a professor at the University of Dhaka, came to Pakistan in September 1997 to work with a cultural institution “Tahrik-e-Niswan” and create the production of “Ek Hazar Aur Aik Thi Raatain. He says, “When Tahrik invited me to direct a play with them, I was interested because, in 1971, I had fought against the state machinery of Pakistan in the war of liberation. I had never been to Pakistan before. What would it be like for theatre practitioners to meet across politics and the bitterness of history? I decided to meet on common ground, that of Islamic culture.”
Significance of Music Diplomacy
Music is a versatile and significant tool in diplomacy, serving as a universal language that crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries. Artists and musicians have been cultural ambassadors for nations throughout history, utilizing their artistic talents to promote mutual understanding. Mutual appreciation is fostered by platforms that allow different societies to share their artistic manifestations, such as concerts, music festivals, and cultural exchanges.
Music also functions as a soft power instrument, boosting a country’s image and fostering a positive perception on a worldwide scale. During diplomatic gatherings, diplomats frequently use music to encourage a sense of harmony and shared culture that can open up communication. Music is a powerful instrument in the delicate art of diplomacy since it can generate strong feelings and leave a lasting impact, whether it be through classical compositions, traditional folk pieces, or modern genres.
Shared Music Diplomacy in South Asia
South Asia boasts a kaleidoscope of musical genres, from the classical ragas of India to the qawwalis of Pakistan and the folk tunes of Bangladesh and Nepal. Before 1947, the undivided region of British India saw a lively cultural interaction, with music flowing effortlessly across geographic boundaries. Icons such as Taan Sen, a great classical performer, had an everlasting influence on the art of music. His contributions to classical music have become a treasured shared legacy still appreciated today by generations in Pakistan and India. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ustad Allauddin Khan were classical music legends who traveled the world and had an everlasting impression on classical music traditions before partition in 1947.
This musical diversity is still a common language that resonates with people’s hearts across borders, providing a shared cultural heritage that unites rather than divides. India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan share a rich musical heritage that transcends borders and connects the people of the subcontinent through the universal language of music. The region’s melodies are harmoniously woven together by the lively interchange of musical traditions facilitated by these countries’ historical and cultural linkages. The different musical genres of Bangladesh and Pakistan and classical music from India (Hindustani and Carnatic music) exhibit a smooth blending of cultures.
These countries are further united by Sufi music, which transcends linguistic and theological divides with its mystical and spiritual character. The tabla’s rhythmic beats, the sitar’s soulful notes, and the devotional words of Sufi poetry create a musical bridge that binds the hearts and souls of the people, commemorating the shared musical history of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The merging of Sufi music and mystical traditions in South Asia exemplifies how cultural and spiritual connectedness can be used to leverage soft power. Sufi traditions, which celebrate diversity and tolerance, allow artists to express love, peace, and acceptance themes. Qawwali, a devotional music genre derived from Sufi traditions in the Indian subcontinent, exhibits this with soulful melodies and poetic lyrics that cross-linguistic and regional boundaries, generating a sense of oneness across disparate cultures.
The collaborations between Indian and Pakistani performers demonstrate music’s power to transcend borders. From Nazia Hassan’s revolutionary crossover in the 1980s to modern collaborations like Adnan Sami Khan, Atif Aslam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, music has shown to be a successful medium for developing cross-cultural discourse. Coke Studio is another example of this trend, as it explores and celebrates the subcontinent’s rich musical tradition.
Renowned figures like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Noor Jahan, Mehndi Hassan, and Tina Sani have become cultural ambassadors, leaving an indelible impact on the global arena. These performers and folk musicians have earned international acclaim, helping to improve perceptions of South Asian culture.
Abida Parveen, recognized for her moving renditions of Sufi poetry, and A.R. Rahman, who combines classic Sufi components with a contemporary sound, demonstrate the breadth and influence of Sufi music. Hans Raj Hans, a Punjabi Sufi singer, adds another dimension that reflects the region’s cultural variety.
Bangladesh’s unique combination of traditional folk and classical components has struck a chord with Pakistani audiences, demonstrating music’s ability to transcend linguistic and regional boundaries. Runa Laila, a versatile Bangladeshi singer, is a legendary figure who connected South Asia’s pre- and post-partition musical cultures. Runa Laila’s voice provided a powerful reflection of the musical ties that unite Pakistan and Bangladesh and are rooted in their shared past as East and West Pakistan. Her contributions to the music of both countries serve as a symbol of the ongoing cultural exchange.
There are still obstacles, notwithstanding music’s value as a diplomatic weapon. Political conflict has occasionally hampered cross-cultural interactions and restricted musicians’ ability to work together freely. In the aftermath of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the musical connection between Pakistan and Bangladesh faced challenges. However, over time, the shared heritage of classical and folk music has served as a bridge to repair cultural ties, and there is tremendous potential for enhancing cultural conversation, resolving past grievances, and developing people-to-people interactions.
Contradictions about Pakistan’s Cultural Identity
Pakistan envisioned as a nation where Muslims from various backgrounds could start over, was sadly tainted by the unwelcome consequence of independence—hatred and internal tensions. Internal struggle and a sense of superiority began splitting the nation itself, and the division sparked Hindu-Muslim riots that swept the subcontinent in upheaval. This self-inflicted hostility has resulted in rejecting the region’s unique cultural fabric, which characterizes its history and legacy.
The nation’s heritage, morals, and traditions are being despised as a result of the inward turn of the hostility that previously drove Hindus and Muslims against one another. The superiority complex, which claims to be better than others, has led to the formation of two distinct entities: Pakistan and Bangladesh. Regrettably, the haste to remove from the past has resulted in a naïve embrace of Western principles, undermining the nation’s connection to its cultural roots.
The lens of anger and contradiction through which the past is perceived has tarnished our understanding of cultural heritage. Icons like the Taj Mahal, Amir Khusrau, Tan Sen, and Ghalib are limited to foreign nations and lost a sense of belonging.
Geographical boundaries, motivated by hostility, have severed relations with a substantial amount of cultural legacy, rendering it useless to the Pakistani people. The mental geography, created by hatred, has changed so radically that cultural legacy is now believed to terminate at Wagah, regulated by passports and visas—a sad result of the mental barriers we have built.
The sorrowful story continues with removing a dancing queen monument from Mohenjo-Daro’s ruins and restrictions placed on classical musicians such as Bare Ghulam Ali. Famous people, such as the writer Quratulain Haidar and even a dancing school run by Ghanshyam, were persecuted and had to flee to safety. The loss of Nasirullah Khan’s categorized records to an American music company contributes to the cultural deterioration.
People mistakenly believe that anything pre-Islamic is non-Islamic, even though our nation is 76 years old and has a history that goes back thousands of years. The ideological state’s failure to accept a spiritual connection with non-Islamic civilizations on its territory further alienates society from its diverse history.
Geographic limits are evident, but historical boundaries are unclear. The country appears lost in its past, swinging between seeking and rejecting historical landmarks such as Mohenjo-Daro and Taxila. This historical ambiguity threatens to destroy the links that bind people to their origins.
Pakistan was founded on a desire to preserve a distinct identity while balancing traditions with the needs of modern life. Regrettably, the educated class—usually the guardian of culture—has rejected its principles, which has aided in the loss of cultural identity. Cultural amnesia is perpetuated by the educated class’s embrace of an alien culture, which further isolates the country from its rich past.
Recognizing that a nation’s strength resides in its capacity to appreciate its diverse legacy while paving the way toward a harmonious future, it is essential to close the gap between the past and present in pursuing a united and progressive Pakistan.
Music Diplomacy with Eurasia and the Middle East
Pakistan’s rich cultural and musical tapestry is critical to expanding its soft power influence far beyond its immediate boundaries, including the Middle East and Russia. With its timeless themes of transcendent love and spiritual awakening, Sufi music is a powerful link between Pakistan and the long-established Sufism in the Middle East. Pakistan may create a common spiritual bond between the two regions, strengthen people-to-people ties, and improve its reputation in the Middle East by arranging Sufi music festivals, working with Middle Eastern musicians, and facilitating exchange programs through cultural diplomacy.
Pakistan’s pursuit of soft power via strategic alliances in Sufi music with Turkiye and Iran has enormous potential for increasing cultural connection and diplomatic influence. Beyond geopolitical barriers, these countries are inextricably linked by their shared Sufi legacy. Collaborative initiatives, such as joint Sufi music festivals, artist exchanges, and cultural events, can strengthen the cultural ties between Pakistan and Turkiye by leveraging Turkiye’s global musical influence.
At the same time, alliances with Iran, based on their deep Sufi traditions, allow them to oppose regional trends while fostering mutual understanding. These partnerships contribute to an excellent global narrative, portraying Pakistan as a significant participant in facilitating unity and shared cultural values throughout the Islamic world and acting as diplomatic tools. Realizing the full potential of these strategic cultural partnerships will require addressing internal issues and creating a collaborative atmosphere. Finally, by adopting the universal language of Sufi music, Pakistan can reframe its global story and contribute to the harmonic interplay of cultures on the world stage.
Due to Pakistan’s historical connections with Russia, an additional channel for cultural interchange exists outside of the Middle East. Through the powerful performances of Sufi music, Pakistan can connect with Russian audiences, offering a distinctive cultural encounter that knows no boundaries. Collaborations with Russian artists and participation in cultural events can build mutual appreciation and understanding, resulting in a positive narrative in Russian-Pakistani ties.
Internal issues, though, like the lack of funding for cultural infrastructure and the requirement for an artist-collaborative platform, need to be addressed. Overcoming historical beliefs that restrict cultural identification to a single story is also critical for a successful soft power approach.
While Pakistan has achieved significant progress in cultural exchange programs with the West, these efforts must be expanded to include the Middle East and Eurasia. With this growth, Pakistan could exhibit a more complex national identity internationally, demonstrating the ability of Sufi music to serve as a great global unifying force and a universal language.
To sum up, Sufi music serves as a conduit for soft power, crossing geopolitical boundaries and establishing cultural and spiritual connections. South Asia can continue to weave a story of unity and shared humanity via the timeless expressions of musicians such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, and others, helping to project a favorable image worldwide.
Pakistan’s Sufi music also has strong spiritual and mystic roots and can bridge boundaries and foster ties with the Middle East and Russia. Through strategic cultural diplomacy, Pakistan may increase its soft power and contribute to global harmony, recognizing the transforming potential of music as a universal language. Pakistan has never had a better opportunity to share its story and forge lasting bonds with countries far beyond its borders.
A student of International Relations interested in National Security strategies, with a good focus on Geo-Politics, Foreign Policy, and Public & Cultural Diplomacy.
