While the flash mob is not a unique concept, it is a novel notion for Pakistan particularly when avenues for fun and self expression are rare for the young and the restless. The Express Tribune embraces the fun and catches up with Hasan Danesh of ActOne for an exclusive interview to hear how they started and where they will dance next.
Interestingly enough, ActOne has a lot of corporate linkages with Hasan Amin holding a managerial position in a private company, Asma Ansari as an Indus Valley final year student and Hasan Danesh who is an assistant vice president at a local bank.
What is ActOne? How did it originate? What is their professional and academic orientation?
ActOne is a Centre for Arts and Wellness running for the last five years in Karachi with 14 international and local Instructors, 20 unique arts and wellness forms that include slots of Bollywood, Ballet, Kathak, Salsa, Hip Hop, Tango, Waltz, Kickboxing, Aerobics, Zumba, Power Yoga and lots more.
In the last five years ActOne has crossed over 3500 students and given workshops at the Indus Valley, Alliance Francaise, Pak American Cultural Center, and more. Three Individuals founded ActOne of which two have moved on and now we have two more managers that replaced them so there is the basic team of three individuals with a group of very talented instructors that manage ActOne.
What is the concept behind ActOne?
ActOne is a platform of expression ... it’s a place that offers Pakistanis to come and enjoy life, stay fit and do something healthy
What does ActOne, the title mean?
In the Eastern mythology there are four components of Acting: Singing, Music, Dancing, Story telling and Mime (acting without words) and it’s called the Natuk Veda. So the word ‘Act’ comes from there and since ActOne was the first one to start this on such a big level that explains the ‘One.’
What was the impetus behind enacting the flash mob in Karachi?
Several things; firstly we believe that when people have arts or sport in their life, they channelize their energies positively.
Secondly, the flood victims are now getting back to their lives, they need more support now (ActOne donates its funds from the flash mobs to charity). Everyone loves to dance, especially Pakistanis (we have around 44 dances of our own!). So we got together with Rahnuma and NGO, Indus Valley School and Rotaract Clifton and decided to give Karachites a taste of the flash mob
What do you hope to achieve with this?
We called it ‘Dance for a Cause,’ the idea is to generate money and use that money to buy sports equipment and art materials. Our teams will take these to the affected areas and show these children a good time, teach them how to use such material and finally hand them their gifts. These kids need something to express and put their energies into.
Where is the flash mob headed next?
We have announced the big one – a 1,000 people in March! And this will be in Karachi; we want to come to Lahore and Islamabad for now and get the ball rolling. So come, learn steps, have clean healthy fun, become a part of history and that too for a brilliant cause!
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2011.
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