Art and the Taleban

So there was news the other day that the Taliban partially shaved heads and moustaches of three people who were caught listening to music. A friend I mentioned this to yesterday commented that it was a relatively humane punishment. It is a punishment nonetheless and I can only wonder what might have gone through the poor 'culprits' minds when they were caught in the act.

Any artist with an audience comprising of denizens of Swat and nearby areas must be in a dilemma over this. Should he stop making music for the timebeing to ensure no one gets punished for listening to his new releases. What about old hits then? Should he come out in the open and request his fans to abstain from listening to all music, infact abstain from all art, as far as they are under Taliban rule?