Zikr-e-Khusro: A tryst with poetry and dance

Classical dancer Siddiqui held the audience spellbound with her graceful dance.


Saadia Qamar October 22, 2011

KARACHI:


For once my pen fails to produce words to describe the dance movements mastered by classical dancer Nahid Siddiqui at Zikr-e-Khusro — a fundraiser event organised by The Citizens Foundation (TCF). The event that was held on October 21 in the dimly lit Darbar Hall of Sheraton Hotel left an impact on poetry and dance enthusiasts.


The night came alive with the sound of ghungroos that jingled to the beat of Amir Khusro’s ghazal and tarana. The tarana was Siddiqui’s own tribute to Khusro for the evening, which completely captivated the audience’s attention. Siddiqui’s performance on three instrumental classical compositions communicated the theme of friendly teasing and the social norm of paying respect by saying adaab. The dancer told a subcontinental narrative to the hynotised audience through her graceful and rhythmic hand and body movements.

Siddiqui showed that her skills defy time and age, and with every beat, sound and the words of classical raag flowing in the hall, the classical dancer personified the lyrical beauty of Khusro’s word.

Dressed in blue-coloured peshwas and churidar pyjama, Siddiqui denoted rain and thunder with her precise and well-timed body movements and her dignified yet soft facial expressions.

The dancer performed for almost an hour and showed that she could still move with the grace she did 30 years ago, until she was banned from performing in the country during General Zia’s era.

However, her most alluring performance was on the “Ramdasi Malhar” raag. The performer twirled joyfully and took heavy steps to suggest strength of personality and then eventually stood in an upright position to signify that she has found love.

Coming on stage and speaking to the audience for a brief moment, Siddiqui said, “It’s heartening to see the appreciation that I have just received. I’m performing in Karachi after a long time.”

Besides her dancing performance, there were some musical performances by National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) students, which were appreciated more by the audience than recitals by their seniors. For instance, one of the highlights of the night was a rendition of Khusro’s qawwali,  “Mun Kunto Maula”, performed by Napa students.

One must not forget to mention Mehnaz Begum singing “Bahut Kathin Hai Dagr Panghat Ki”, which was commendably delivered.

As a brief introduction to the show, Zia Mohyeddin, the master orator, also shared a timeline of Khusro’s reign. Being a master of words, Mohyeddin kept switching between Persian, Urdu and English and summed up the speech with the Sufi icon’s poem “Light Upon Light”.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2011. 

COMMENTS (1)

Sun-Rise | 12 years ago | Reply

Beautiful, just beautiful! I know TCF and their selfless commitments to turn the clock for the future of next generation of Pakistan. To establish hundreds of world's top-standard schools for the poor and neglected of Pakistan without government funding is already a proof of their pure intentions, qualified workers, and hard work by every member, volunteer & friend of the cause.

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