NEW DELHI: Musicians from India and Pakistan enthralled the participants of the Global Literary Festival held here with their recitals.

The festival was organised by the Asian Academy of Arts headed by senior film entrepreneur Sandeep Marwah.

The artistes who enthralled the audiences included Shabbir Hussain from Pakistan, santoor maestro Bhajan Sopori, and renowned flute player Rajendra Prasanna.

“For a musician, his music and voice is ultimate. This is what we possess as wealth, I surrender my music and my voice for the unity, peace and love for both the countries,” said Hussain who played some popular numbers from his albums.

“The best way to bring back the two countries is through our own history, literature, art and culture which have been the same for centuries,” said Marwah.

“Classical music teaches us a lot of patience. It is next to meditation and excess of pleasure is the bonus one derives from it,” said Marwah at the opening of the music recital by Bhajan Sopori.

Sopori hails from Sopore in Kashmir Valley and traces his lineage to ancient Santoor experts. He belongs to the Sufiana gharana of Indian classical music.

His family has played santoor for over six generations. His first public performance was at a conference organised by Prayag Sangeet Samiti & the University of Allahabad when he was 10 years old.

“Literature and music promotion go hand in hand. They can not be separated as literature and music are part and parcel of our lives”, said Marwah while introducing Rajendra Prasanna to the audience.