IN the gigantic auditorium in Manila, in the Philippines, her voice richer than that of a nightingale filled the hall. We singers stood behind her. We were the choir she sang for, and felt proud, as the audience in one accord rose and gave her a standing ovation!
There were others, from other international choirs, who sang with voices that were recognized worldwide, but hers far surpassed all of them! Backstage, she glanced up as she sipped the hot water and honey that she had keep for her throat, “You were marvelous!” I whispered and she smiled at me.
We went back on stage, and as the crowd saw her, they applauded again. No one made comments about the hijab she wore! No one asked us how she wore one while the other women in our choir wore their regular saris without a headscarf!
No one saw any difference. All they heard was a beautiful voice from India! Her hijab only revealed to the world how secular our choir and country were! But in Karnataka, sweet voices and intelligent minds, yearning to study are not being noticed. Instead the hijab has come under scrutiny and become that bit of cloth politicians have decided to create a controversy with.
Sad. I am glad the soloist who sang for us, learnt voice and singing before such men and women came around. Because what she would have done, and what many in Karnataka are going to do is drop out of school or college, rather than doing what their religion discourages them to do. Many will stop their education!
It is famously said, when you educate a girl, you educate a whole family, because, and I have seen this myself, an educated mother sees that her children get an education too. We are I believe trying to uplift the women of our country! Have passed progressive laws! But with this regressive state law we are going to go a few steps back. That evening in Manila, the world, and some of the best singers, saw us as a very progressive country.
That evening in Manila, the hijab did not hinder her singing. She was happy wearing it, we were happy with the performance she gave. Can’t we think the same way? It’s her education that matters. How she studies, how she applies those studies later that matter.
As she walks into college, we should be standing like the audience in that auditorium in the Philippines applauding her for taking that step to educate herself. Not, snatch her dignity away, and tell her, “Go home..!”
