Pakistan, Aug. 29 -- Tell us about your foray into music and opera singing. How did it all begin for you?

I set out to be a scientist. I completed my MSc in Physical Chemistry and was poised to start a PhD in Australia. But while still a student in 2006, I recorded an album of Amir Khusrau's Sufi songs. His poetry is transcendent and it brought me pause to reflect on my family's own deep-seated values: offering a helping hand to anyone in need, seeking peace, showing love, forgiving one's enemies. Following 9/11, the government said terrorism is linked to poverty and lack of education. As a student I wondered what I could do to bring peace to our world; so much negativity seemed to be focused around Pakistan. What would stop the perpetua...