MUMBAI: In the backdrop of the Mumbai carnage and the Gaza offensive, Hindu, Jew, Muslim and Christian artists from all parts of the world have struck a chord of peace by performing alongside each other here.

In a series of concerts at the ongoing Jaipur Literature festival, the artists put together by the London-based Coexist Foundation, came together in their bid to shun stereotypes and present a lesson to those who believe that faith cannot act as a cohesive force.

The artists have been assembled together in the backdrop of the violence in Mumbai and Gaza which had a direct impact on inter-faith relations, Simon Cohen, spokesperson of the Coexist Foundation.

The originator of the idea, noted author and director of the Jaipur Literature festival, William Dalrymple, said it is a pro-active way of putting up against divisive forces.

"In the wake of the India-Pakistan tensions following the Mumbai attacks there was also a clamour to bar Pakistani artists. What we desire to say is that if you put the plug on Pakistani artists, the fanatics will actually win," Dalrymple said.

"What the artists are doing here is to present an alternative vision, which is a pro-active and vocal one, because staying quiet does not help," he added. PTI