Mime performers interact with the audience post-event. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The darkened room was illuminated by their pale faces as they narrated a story of love, loss and inspiration. Exuding poise, tension and heightened emotion with each step, swirl and repetition, the mime performers maintained muted expressions.
Still, their message resounded louder than words, and stuck. Under the beaming flashes of neon, their black silhouettes were daunting yet strangely moving.
The brains behind the mime performance, held at Kuch Khaas on Saturday, was Hassan Zahid, who fashioned the underlying narrative and its delivery from deeply personal experiences. “Everyone has a story, they think differently and that is what makes each of us unique,” said Zahid, the lead choreographer. “This performance was inspired by my own story of beating the odds and living my dream to make the world smile.”
In conversation with the audience, he emphasised the importance of following one’s dreams to the end. “Life is never too easy, but you should always strive to pursue what you want the most,” perfectly encapsulates his mantra for living.
Another performer, Hajra Yamin, went around the audience asking: “Have you ever failed? What did it feel like?” garnering a multitude of replies.
“I fell in love and ended up in a bad marriage, but now my inspiration are my kids and I’m building back my life again,” a young woman shared. Others shared their own experiences of beating the odds to realise their true goals and passions.
Another round of candid interaction yielded some interesting answers.
“What do you want to become when you grow up? Or what did you want to become when you were little?” asked Yamin, taking turns with each audience member. The diverse replies ranged from conventional professions such as doctors, engineers and politicians, to the relatively out-of-the-box life dreams of being artists, ballerinas and royalty, and even superheroes and fire fighters.
The exchange of thought-provoking ideas, conversation and laughter was a refreshing reminder of the fact that everyone is chasing their own dream or dealing with some reality, and bring their own intrinsic experiences and talents to the table.
Organised to honour the World Autism Day, the event garnered an audience of schoolchildren, parents and even a grandparent.
This mime performance was the first in a list of month-long activities lined up under the Colours of Life festival. Forthcoming events include a drumming circle featuring DJ Barrister, Sparlay Rawail from Khumariyan and Capoeira by Ammar Latif and troupe.
Also on the menu is Dance for Change, featuring professional dancers Nighat Chauhdry, Amna Mawaz, Zain Sadiq, Faizaan Ahan and the KK Dance Crew.
The upcoming Marmalade Session - Salsa Night will introduce the sounds of Latin America, while the Dance Day celebrations will call on people from all walks of life to celebrate the most liberating form of expression.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2014.
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