London violinist ‘destroyed’ by being named ‘pube’ on Brick Lane music festival posters
EVER wonder what the ‘bal’ in ‘balti’ stands for? Abdul Shahid, a Bengali musician from London’s Stepney Green is suing Tower Hamlets for “destroying” his life. Mr Shahid claims to have suffered “immense ridicule and humiliation” after he was billed on the Brick Lane Baishakhi Mela Festival as “bal” — that’s “pubic hair” in Bengali.
The poster advertised Mr Shahid as “Bal Shahid”.
He tells the Evening Standard:
“My name has been destroyed, it’s a disaster. Everybody in this community knows me. When I go outside everyone who knows me and my family are like ‘woo, woo, woo’, making fun of me. They say ‘Bal, Bal’ and I am ashamed. I have lost my livelihood. I was a very popular player, but since this has happened, I haven’t been out of the house much at all. I only feel comfortable going out at night. Last week my friend met me at the Tube station, he shook my hand and said ‘Bal Shahid, how are you?’. It was terrible. Losing your name is the worst thing that can happen to a man in my community. Everyone in my family is very upset.”
Mr Shahid says he sought a letter of apology but none was forthcoming. He says the council “demonstrated a callous contempt” for his “dignity, reputation and feelings”.
Indeed, £300,000 for one pube? Is it any wonder Brazil is growing so rich..?
Posted: 15th, June 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
