Will drop everything else to play in Kashmir: Zubin

For music maestro Zubin Mehta, who has conducted symphony orchestras in strife-torn areas across the world, playing in Jammu and Kashmir remains a cherished dream that remains unfulfilled yet.

"I wish one day I could play in Kashmir. I will cancel every appointment to come and do that," said Mehta who was

here to receive the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit, from the German ambassador, Michael Steiner here last evening.

The Mumbai-born symphony music director who visits the

county frequently with orchestra troupes has for long been expressing his desire to play in the Kashmir region.

The German ambassador said he would attempt to make "this dream of Zubin Mehta a reality."

"I would also like to talk to the Indian government. Maybe

we can make this dream of Zubin Mehta a reality to have a

concert in Jammu Kashmir. I will try my best and of course the Indian government has to agree," said the ambassador who has just assumed office in the country.

Although Zubin Mehta has no personal connect with Jammu and Kashmir, he has travelled to the state earlier in the 1970s."

"We visited Kashmir twice first in 1973 and then again in 1974 with our children. We fell in love with the country and my wife and I took our children to Amarnath on the yatra so we know Kashmir quite well" said the 76-year-old conductor who was accompanied by his wife, yesteryear Hollywood actress Nancy Kovak for the award ceremony.

The couple had made use of short period of gap time in Mehta's packed calender for a visit to Hyderabad.

The Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit which was awarded to Zubin Mehta is one of the highest awards given by the German president to German or foreign nationals "who in their specific field of work have shown humanitarian approach, affection for people and shown an inclination of working in the intrest of international peace," said German ambassador to India.

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