Echoes of the Song of 'Love and Hope' between Vietnam and Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan musician's message to younger generation
WVR - On December 12, the song "Song of Love and Hope" by Sri Lankan musician Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed Iqbal was honoured with the Third Prize at the 11th National External Information Awards Ceremony.
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Behind the simple melodies lies a love for the S-shaped land, along with endless inspiration about peace, hope, and the friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Composed to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka (1970-2025), Song of Love and Hope expresses the sincere affection of an international artist for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam. Through music, Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed Iqbal has helped bring the image of Vietnam closer to the Sri Lankan public, especially the younger generation.
Where love takes root
Though working in the geology sector, Mr. Iqbal grew up in the Sri Lankan youth movement and passionately pursued music. Music became a medium for him to narrate the story of love for the country and its people.
The love of musician Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed Iqbal for Vietnam is nurtured by history and the very close and dear connections between the two nations. He has poured his intense affection for Vietnam into his artistic journey, notably with the song praising President Ho Chi Minh titled Ho Ho Chi Minh in Sinhala, performed during celebrations of Ho Chi Minh's birthday in Sri Lanka.
However, despite years of research, composing, and nurturing deep feelings for Vietnam, musician Iqbal has never set foot on the S-shaped land. For him, Vietnam exists through historical books and stories about President Ho Chi Minh.
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| Musician Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed Iqbal performs the song "Song of Love and Hope" at the 11th National External Information Awards Ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Therefore, the 11th National External Information Awards Ceremony was not only a milestone in his career but also a special occasion for the musician to visit Vietnam for the first time, fulfilling his long-held wish: To visit the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, paying respects to the Leader whom he considers a great inspiration in music and life.
Coming from the agricultural country of Sri Lanka, perhaps that's why Mr. Iqbal quickly found a connection with Vietnam, where the image of farmers and villages always plays a central role in the country's historical and developmental process. In his view, Vietnam's successful development of agriculture is a great inspiration for Sri Lanka.
He has always admired the patriotic spirit and extraordinary national unity of the Vietnamese people. From there, melodies about Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh gradually took root in the music of the Sri Lankan artist, becoming a persistent source of emotion throughout his years of composing.
Notes of peace and hope
In a world still fraught with uncertainties and upheavals, the artist from the South Asian nation always believes: “If there is a common language for humanity to communicate, connect, and understand each other, it is music.” The sounds, though invisible, are powerful enough to play the tune of peace and friendship, bringing people closer together with the simplest emotions.
One of the figures who profoundly influenced Mr. Iqbal's artistic path is Victor Jara, a Chilean guitarist and cultural activist who sang about justice and Ho Chi Minh in his famous song El derecho de vivir en paz (The Right to Live in Peace). Mr. Iqbal wants his music to be just as powerful: One person singing, one guitar, telling the story of humanity, resolving conflicts through understanding.
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| For musician Iqbal, Vietnam exists through historical books and stories about President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: Chu An) |
Influenced by that spirit, Mr. Iqbal chooses the path of simple yet sincere folk music, where the artist writes, plays, and sings by himself. He believes that art is not about flashy arrangements or soulless electronic buttons.
At the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Film Week in Sri Lanka, Mr. Iqbal brought to the stage the song Song of Love and Hope through the sounds of the flute, accordion, violin, and guitar. He wants the audience, especially the youth, to feel the heartbeat of traditional culture, a sound that requires hard work and contemplation.
“I always say: Love peace, love friendship. I sing for peace, for friendship, and through that, social harmony,” the musician shares.
Mr. Iqbal's artistic philosophy is simple yet proud: “Artists need the public, and the public is also the artist.” He does not like staged art but prefers to bring a stool into the crowd, singing simply in the streets.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Permanent Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Lai Xuan Mon present awards to 24 authors and groups who won the Third Prize at the 11th National External Information Awards, including musician Iqbal. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Aspiration to foster friendship
Few know that Song of Love and Hope originated from a very natural suggestion during a conversation between musician Iqbal and Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, as the 55th anniversary of the two countries' relations approached:
“Why don't we write a song for this special occasion?”. From that intriguing suggestion, the Sri Lankan artist passionately "wove" a melody named "love and hope" as a message that people, wherever they are, can find common ground to understand each other.
The more he immersed himself in the words "love" and "hope," the more inspiration he found on his journey to nurture the human values that art brings. Because hope is like a guiding lighthouse, today it may not be reached, tomorrow it may still be unfinished, but one day it will become a reality. "Love, peace, friendship, and hope, these are the values that guide me," the musician says. He believes that through music, people can always find a way to move forward.
With encouragement from the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka and faith in the power of music, the composition was sent to participate in the 11th National External Information Awards. The recognition at the Awards Ceremony is not only an honour for the musician but also a vivid testament to the power of music in spreading human values and friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
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| The recognition at the Awards Ceremony is not only an honor for the musician but also a vivid testament to the power of music in spreading human values and friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. (Photo: Chu An) |
Not only limited to the fields of culture or art, musician Iqbal expresses his hope that the friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to expand in a substantive and sustainable manner across many fields.
“Not just music and literature, we should also focus on religion, economy, and production. By doing so, we can create conditions for the younger generations of the two countries to exchange knowledge, interact meaningfully, and grow together. Let's aim for that common goal,” Mr. Iqbal emphasizes.
Perhaps, upon returning home, the trip to Vietnam will remain in the memory of the artist from the South Asian country through the form of sound, lingering in a simple message: "Sing the songs of love, peace, and friendship".
From now on, Vietnam for him is no longer just present through books, historical stories, or melodies written from afar, but becomes a vivid emotional realm, felt with the heart and experience.
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka)
