To The Best of Our Knowledge

from Wisconsin Public Radio

Kashmir has been called the most beautiful place on earth. Today, it's the melting point for a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan. It's a situation that's been called more dangerous than the Cuban missile crisis. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, an Indian writer mourns the Kashmir of her past. And, will a South Asian economic union solve the region's problems?

Historian Tariq Ali is the author of "The Clash of Fundamentalisms." He tells Steve Paulson that the current Indian government is dominated by Hindu fundamentalists. He sees no hope of a lessening of tension between the two countries and fears they could go to war if Pakistan feels its nationhood is threatened. Also, Ritu is a London based DJ who's compiled a new collection called "The Rough Guide to Bollywood." She describes the booming Indian movie business and talks with Jim Fleming about a few tracks from her CD. And we hear lots of music, of course.

SEGMENT 2:

Amitav Ghosh is a novelist whose latest, "The Glass Palace" tells the story of the millions of Indians who went to Burma during the British occupation. Ghosh tells Steve Paulson that the roots of the conflict between India and Pakistan go back to Partition in 1947 when the British left India.

SEGMENT 3:

Sudha Koul is a Kashmiri Hindu living in the United States. Her memoir is "The Tiger Ladies: A Memoir of Kashmir." Koul says her homeland is the most beautiful place on Earth and remembers that during her childhood, Hindus and Moslems lived together peacefully, sharing feasts and holidays. And she thinks Kashmir could be that way again. Also, chef Julie Sahni is the author of "Savoring India." She talks with Anne Strainchamps about Tandoori cooking which unites Kashmiris of all religions. Tandoori uses a yogurt marinade, a clay lined oven, yellow and red coloring agents, and is best eaten with the fingers. Look here for Sahni's Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Books:

• Tariq Ali, The Clash of Fundamentalisms
• Amitav Ghosh, The Glass Palace
• Sudha Koul, The Tiger Ladies: a memoir of Kashmir (Beacon)
• Julie Sahni, Savoring India

Music:

• 1)Aaj Mausam Bada Beimann Hai/Mohammed Rafi/ Soundtrack -
  Monsoon Wedding/Milan
• 2)Tajdar-e-Haram/Sardi Brothers/
• 3)Aap Jaise Koi/Nazia Hassan/Rough Guide to Bollywood/World
  Music Network
• 4)Kehna Hi Kya/ Chitra/Rough Guide to Bollywood/World Music
  Network
• 5)Phil Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani/ Shah Rukh Khan/Rough Guide to
  Bollywood/World Music Network
• 6)Chunari Chunari/ Abhhijeet & Anuradha Shriram/ Soundtrack -
  Monsoon Wedding/ Milan
• 7)Banco de Gaia (Radio Mix)/Toby Marks/ Asian Travels 2/ Six
  Degrees Records
• 8)Anoushka Shankar/
• 9) Kashmiri Traditional Songs and Dances LP/
• 10)Karsh Kale/ Asian Travels 2/ Six Degrees Records
  

Distribution dates:

• week of 06/30/2002 - hour 1