Card 1
Image Description
This card is divided down the middle by a crooked line representing the India-Pakistan border. The left side is purple in colour with intricate diamond patterns scattered over it while the right side is a dark green with golden polka dots. At the bottom centre of the card are images of Noor Jahan and Lata Mangeshkar. Noor Jahan on the left is flexing her arm and wearing a black sari with red flower patterns. A red rose adorns on her head. Lata Mangeshkar on the right is smiling and wearing a red sari with black diamond patterns on it.
Text on Cards:
The Song of a Tight Hug
feat. Noor Jahan and Lata Mangeshkar
Card 2:
Image Description
This card is divided down the middle by a crooked line representing the India-Pakistan border. The left side is purple in colour with gold flower patterns scattered over it (similar to a sari) while the right side is a dark green with golden polka dots. A picture of Noor Jahan covers most of the left side. She is flexing her right arm and wearing a black sari with a red flower. A picture of Lata Mangeshkar is on the right side of the card. She is smiling and wearing a red sari with black diamond patterns on it.
Text on Cards
In 1951, Lata Mangeshkar and music director C. Ramchandra were in Amritsar, working on a film - Jhanjhar.
Lata was overcome with a sudden desire to call her dear friend Noor Jahan.
The eminent Pakistani singer had migrated to Lahore from Bombay after Partition.
Card 3:
Image Description
This card is divided down the middle by a crooked line representing the India-Pakistan border. The left side is purple in colour with gold flower patterns scattered over it (similar to a sari) while the right side is a dark green with golden polka dots. On the top left of the card is a black landline phone with a speech bubble saying ‘song lyrics song lyrics song lyrics song lyrics song’ emerging from it. Its wire is twisted into a heart at the centre of the card and connects to a similar landline receiver at the bottom right. A speech bubble saying ‘song lyrics song lyrics song lyrics song lyrics song lyrics’ emerges from the second phone too.
Text on Cards
A trunk call was made.
They talked to each other for over an hour on the telephone, and even sang songs for each other.
Card 4:
Image Description
The left side of this card is purple in colour with gold flower patterns scattered over it (similar to a sari). On it is a picture of a green Pakistani passport. The right side of the card is a green sari with golden polka dots and a red border. On it is a picture of a black Indian passport. The two sides are separated by a triangle-like beige background that contains text within it. At the bottom of the card is the picture of a murphy radio.
Text on Cards
Lata expressed her desire to meet Noor.
But at such short notice, it was difficult to get the paperwork in order. The road was 50 km long, but the distance was historic. Then, a loophole was found.
Card 5:
Image Description
On the right side of this beige card is an outline of Pakistan and the part of India it borders. Pakistan is coloured purple with a gold flower pattern (similar to a sari design) while India is green in coloured green with small gold flowers. There is a picture of a black car on the Pakistan side and a grey car on the Indian side of this image.
Text on Cards (English)
The two artists could meet in a place between countries: the no-man's land between Wagah in India and Attari in Pakistan.
Both parties drove quick, their heartbeats exceeding the speed limit.
Noor's car was parked on Pakistan's side
Lata's car did not cross the Indian border
Card 6:
Image Description
The left side of this card is purple in colour with gold flower patterns scattered over it (similar to a sari) while the right side of the card is covered by a green sari in colour with golden polka dots and a red border. At the bottom is a picture of Noor Jahan and Lata Mageshakar smiling and hugging.
Text on Cards
But Lata and Noor raced to embrace each other tight and broke down.
The border guards standing around were overwhelmed by the moment they were witnessing.
Divisions were dissolved in love and affection, if only for a moment.
Card 7:
Image Description
The top half of this card is covered by a green sari with gold polka dots and a red border. The bottom half is covered by a purple sari with golden flowers. On the left side of this purple sari is a black and white picture of Noor Jahan singing and on the right is a picture of Lata Mangeshkar singing.
Text on Cards
Noor fed Lata homemade food that she had brought, with her own hands. Friends and singers were reunited.
Land and sky were one song.
Card 8:
Image Description
At the bottom of this beige card is a picture of the India-Pakistan border with India in green and Pakistan in purple. Inside Pakistan the word ‘Music’ is written and inside India is the word ‘Friendship’. Little hearts are doodled on the side of the countries and in front of the border is an image of Noor jahan and Lata Mangeshkar hugging.
Text on Cards
"Lata used to say that they met on no man's land. But in reality, Lata and Noor Jahan met on an independent land.
No one had any right over that place”
Card 9:
Image Description
At the bottom of this card is a heart and two black and white images of radios leaning towards each other.
Text on Cards
Art, friendship, music, love, the taste of a friend's cooking know no borders :)
Celebrating comradeship and remembrance this Partition Day.
Love is lost, yet never lost.
Sources:
C. Ramachandra’s autobiography ‘The Symphony of My Life’ (माझ्या जीवनाची सरगम in Marathi) in 1977
When Lata Mangeshkar and Noor Jehan broke down as they met in the no man’s land between India-Pakistan. Indian Express.
Tracing back Lata Mangeshkar's inextricable bond and possible cross-border friendship with Noor Jehan. Firstpost.
Melody Queen Madam Noor Jehan tributes Lata Mangeshkar in her rare last interview. YouTube
Noor Jehan’s daughter on Lata Mangeshkar: My mother loved Lataji’s Ae Dil-e-Nadan. The Times of India.
When Lata Mangeshkar met Noor Jehan in person. The Week.
When two melody queens from India and Pakistan met at zero line. The Tribune.
