Traditional Indian classical dance also permeates dance forms in Pakistan, but it is not promoted. The Sufism practiced in Pakistan is steeped in this heritage, and it is part and parcel of the fabric of society including poetry, literature and music. The Mughals were very Sufi in their outlook, and patronised many Sufi saints and scholars. This Sufi heritage is a result of the traditions that Indian Muslim rulers brought with them from Central Asia and Persia. Sufism is very popular in both Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, dance is used for rituals, communal activity and celebrations such as weddings, but also by Sufis in a spiritual and devotional context. Whilst some governments try to suppress or ban dance, this does not deny the existence of dance and the role it plays in the history and identity of communities. Where there are people, there is always a presence of dance and movement. These dances tend to have more gender mixing as it’s normally a family affair, and it's inclusive.” “We have community folk dances including bhangra, balochi and lewa to name a few. “Folk dancing is very vibrant in Pakistan,” says Nighat. On an international stage, many would presume there was no dance heritage in Pakistan, which could not be further from reality.ĭespite the strict edicts from those in power, it has not been an easy task to eradicate dance and expression Pakistanis continue to dance, with folk dances being extremely popular.
Unfortunately, this led to a stagnation and decline of the practice at a formal level. The direction of travel for the acceptance of dance in Pakistan began to change in the late 1970s and 1980s, when dance was actually banned by Zia ul-Haq’s government. My grandmother, Farida Khan (middle), with two dancers from the PIA Arts Academy to her right and left, as my family dropped them off to Heathrow Airport after a performance in the UK. My family would host the Pakistan Arts Academy on their visits to the UK, and were privileged to witness their performances in close-knit family gatherings at my great-aunt’s house in North West London. Siddiqui immersed herself in Islamic principles and geometry, to further develop her Kathak movements, poses and alignment of the body. He married Nahid Siddiqui, who is a world famous Pakistani Kathak dancer, bringing her style of Sufi and spiritual aesthetics to the classical dance. The Arts Academy was very prominent in its day, and well-known actor and performer, Zia Mohyeddin, was appointed as director between 1973-1977. In 1966, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) established an Arts Academy to positively promote the culture of Pakistan. In the early days of the creation of Pakistan, there seems to have been a more tolerant attitude towards dance and performing arts. Through dance I found myself, and within myself, I found God.” “Dance has been a breakthrough for me personally. Nighat has been practicing Kathak since she was 13-years-old. It used to be more vibrant and open, but for several decades now we seem to have lost the acceptance of dance as a spiritual expression,” Nighat said.
“Sadly, dance has been heavily politicised in Pakistan. Nighat found her calling to return to Pakistan, immerse herself in the dance and preserve the hidden artform for the nation. She grew up in the UK and studied contemporary dance and ballet, but after being exposed to her own cultural dance heritage, she has never looked back.
#Kathak music youtube professional
Nighat Chaodhry, a Pakistani professional dancer, now based in Lahore, has been one of the main proponents of Kathak classical dance in Pakistan.
Although the subcontinent was physically divided in 1947, the butchery of the British carving knife was not able to separate a connection that goes back millennia. The dance forms and their stories are inextricably linked with India, its history and heritage. Pakistan is a vibrant, colourful country but you may be surprised to learn that the land of cricket, parathas and ladoo also has a rich but hidden dance heritage.ĭance styles are plentiful across all the regions of this vast country, and include a beautiful variety of folk as well as classical. Nighat Chaodhry hopes to preserve classical Indian dance form, and with it, part of Pakistan's history and identity.