It was an eye-opening visit for the veteran singer who had performed in Lahore and Islamabad on January 24 and 25 this year.

``It was wonderful. The love showered on me by the people of Pakistan was unbelievable. There was absolutely no interference from the government,'' he told Express Newsline of his maiden visit to the neighbouring country. His recital in Lahore was hosted by eminent Pakistani lawyer Raza Azmi. A day later the Indian Ambassador hosted the singer's recital in Islamabad on the occasion of India's Republic Day reception.

The heart warming response he received in Pakistan has only served to strengthen his belief in music as the great unifier of people. Speaking on the Ghulam Ali episode, the singer remarked, ``It's a matter of great shame when artists, who haveno religion, are insulted this way. It shouldn't have happened.''

But there was more in store for Pandit Jasraj as he walked down memory lane one morning in Lahore. It was in this city that he had been initiated into music as a 14-year-old by his guru and elder brother Pandit Maniramji.