Suppose the celebrated painter M.F. Husain is invited by an Indian citizen and a lunch is hosted for him. Can some fanatical Hindu organisations taking a cue from the Muslim boycott call threaten the host with dire consequences because they are offended by some of his paintings? If these trends are not repressed urgently and severely, bigotry and intolerance will destroy our democratic social fabric.

Oscar Peterson

Jazz musicians do not generally receive official recognition. Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist, who passed away last month, was a notable exception. In 2005 he became the first living person other than a reigning monarch to be honoured with a commemorative stamp in Canada, where streets, squares, concert halls and schools have been named after him. He received glowing tributes from his fellow musicians. The great Duke Ellington titled him the ‘Maharaja of the Keyboard.’

Peterson’s influence was world-wide and was experienced by several musicians, including Herbie Hancock and pianist-singer Diana Krall, who cited Peterson as the reason for her becoming a jazz pianist. The 20-year-old jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov, as a boy growing up in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan decided to become a jazz musician after listening to Peterson’s records. Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, a fan and a friend of Peterson, invited him to a 2001 Ottawa event honouring Nelson Mandela. Chretien recalled that “they were both moved to meet each other. These were two men with humble beginnings who rose to very illustrious levels”.

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