Someone said, "Without music life would be a mistake", so TRUE!!!

The Festival au désert ("Festival in the Desert") is an annual concert in Mali, showcasing traditional Tuareg music as well as music from around the world. From 2001 until 2009 the festival was held in Essakane but because of security issues, from 2010 the festival has been held on the outskirts of Timbuktu.

This weekend the Mali Fest is going on in San Francisco and the best I feel is that how lucky we are that we get to watch all these people from Mali, who after suffering pain, atrocities yet bring out the happy music of all.

Through music they are fighting their war for peace, equal rights and women empowerment.

Today for the first time I had a chance to see Fatoumata Diawara, who is from Mali – which is known for its musical traditions. Her music, her craziness, her enthralling and powerful views about peace, love and empowerment for women, its so influencing through music. The oneness that music brings around is something so unique that no matter which part of the world you belong, music binds you in one string no matter what color, creed or gender you are. There is one religion, one food for soul and that is MUSIC.

One got to listen to these happy and dancing numbers that Fatou sings while she is playing her guitar. The story of pain and suffering yet coming out strong is such an inspiring one. I was amazed to hear about her today that she was born to Malian parents and despite strong opposition from her parents, she denied an arrange marriage to pursue her artistic ambitions and flew to Paris.

This is where one see, if you got to do it, you got to do it. I am so proud of this woman, who through her music is spreading the love. She says we are blacks, whites, and yellow but inside us the blood is Red. Stop killing and torturing people, lets live with love and peace.

It’s such a heart tearing when she says, your kids must be going to school and study but kids in Mali their education is outside of the book that you read in the school. Many lessons are learned outside of the book and it is so true. We all will agree with one thing that what we studied in school in those books within those four walls is much far from reality and we all learn it in our own way in our unique experiences in life.

I had the opportunity to hug her and convey my best wishes for the task she is doing and that is taking music across the universe and spreading the message of love and peace for humanity.

I think we all should support such music as these people only survive on MUSIC and that too the reason is for a good cause.