PNCA performs Bharatanatyam dance in pure form

ISLAMABAD: The National Performing Arts Group (NPAG) of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) experimented a dance in the pure form of Bharatanatyam, the most authentic classical dance form in South Asia, to present a creative visualisation of the contemporary life. The thematic dance ‘Barzakh’ showcased the life behaviours where the common people do not find solace on either side of the life. They remain in between the negative and positive nodes quite confused and double minded.



The dance was performed by Amna Mawaz, Nasir Masih, Suhail Hussain, Sahira Kazmi, Sehrish Aslam, Sumbal Arshad, Javed Waris, Fouzia malik, Nazish Farooq, Fayyaz Khan, Amir Yousnas, Adnan Masih, Nayab Zahra, and Fahim Khan.

The lead performer and choreographer of the ‘Barzakh’, Aman Mawaz believes dance is the language that everyone can understand and the complex messages could easily be communicated through this form. She said the ‘Barzakh’ is tale of some ups and downs of life that make your life an unusual experience. It started from the body exercises of the NPAG members that finally converted into an experimental piece of creative dance. It was really some learning while working with the already experienced male and female artists.

Bharatanatyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, Bharatanatyam has been a solo dance that was performed exclusively by women.

Indo Mitha is the versatile dance guru. She has promoted Bharatanatyam for decades in Pakistan. He disciples are practicing this art form all over the country. One of her talented disciples is Amna Mawaz. Indo Mitha has groomed several young women at the Mazmoon-e-Shauq School as well. They also took part in the farewell dance performance by Indo Mitha along her students.



Speaking on the occasion, the PNCA director general Syed Jamal Shah said I wish all the best to Indo Mitha on her last performance of her dance career. She has contributed a great chapter in the history of performing arts in Pakistan.

Nazish Farooq, one of the performers of the ‘barzakh’, said:“it was the first time that the NPAG members performed contemporary dance in mixed form of classical and folk format. It has been a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several genres and it was quite difficult. It requires more movement and expression. It was a challenge for us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2017.