India and Pakistan have shared a tense relationship since their partition in 1947. While both countries were once part of the same land, the creation of Pakistan based on the two-nation theory led to a divide that still affects many aspects of life — including culture, politics, and even music.
Art is often said to be free from boundaries, religions, or nationalities. However, a resurfaced video of legendary Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh has stirred up a conversation on social media. In the video, Singh expresses a controversial opinion — that Pakistan has no music of its own and that all musical traditions in Pakistan have actually come from India.
The clip, which has gone viral recently, shows Jagjit Singh speaking during an interview in 2001. When asked to compare Indian and Pakistani music, he replied with confidence and clarity.
He said,
“The singing style in India and Pakistan is the same. They all came from here. Pakistan does not have its own music. They have no original musical tradition. What they have is India’s music. All musical art has its roots in India, even across the world.”
He then went deeper into history, explaining that music in the Indian subcontinent was created by ancient sages and deities. He argued that traditionally, Islamic beliefs did not support music in the same way Hinduism did. That, according to him, is why music did not develop independently in Islamic countries like Pakistan.
Singh said,
“Music was created by the gods. In Islam, singing and playing instruments is not generally encouraged. So how can they create their own music? Even the compositions they sing are ours. They are based on Hindu themes, like those devoted to Krishna. The Raags like Malkauns and Jaijaiwanti — all of these are Indian.”
This video was recently shared on Instagram by the handle @woke.batman, and it quickly gained traction. Many social media users are commenting on Jagjit Singh’s bold statements.
One user wrote,
“Absolute clarity and no confusion.”
Another commented,
“Neither music was born in 1947, nor was Bharat. Only Pakistan was born then.”
While some people agree with Singh’s viewpoint, others believe that Pakistan has developed its own rich musical identity over the years — with contributions from legendary artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, and Abida Parveen.
The topic remains sensitive, as it touches not just on art, but also on identity, religion, and nationalism. Yet, Jagjit Singh’s words continue to spark discussion even years after his passing, showing how powerful and thought-provoking his views still are.
Whether one agrees or disagrees, the video reminds us how deeply connected — and divided — India and Pakistan remain, even in the world of music.
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