ISLAMABAD: In a showcase of traditional dance, members of a Chinese delegation unleashed their talents in sync with local performers at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts here on Saturday. The 100-member delegation was invited by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The auditorium was abuzz with guests as two Chinese presenters welcomed everyone, with one of them translating his partner’s words into Urdu, much to the guests’ surprise. In the opening act, Pakistani performers danced to the beat of dandias on the “Gypsy joy dance”. They were dressed as gypsies complete with braided hairdos and embellishments.
As the evening progressed, Guo Rui, a Chinese singer, presented a song. Then a string of song and dance performances by the Chinese delegation had everyone hooting and cheering despite of the fact that the many guests could not make out the lyrics.
“Seems like she’s singing a love song,” said one guest to the other as they clapped in unison. The dancers performed with gusto and poise. Jiang Haoyun rendered a solo dance themed “dancing in the rain” as she depicted raindrops with the flow of her hands and arms.
The guests also performed a folk song titled “Jasmine”, which they termed as a symbol of Pak-China friendship. The flower, they explained, is Pakistan’s national flower and liked in China.
The evening’s showstopper was Ainijiang, with his performance of “Plate dance” with a metal plate for a prop. His swift movements and theatrical moves felt like the Spanish Matador dance, his performance sent out whistles from the audience.
“The Chinese performers seemed to have completely mastered the art and technique of their dances,” said Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design Principal Nudrat.
The Pakistani performers were not to be outdone, as a singer came on to perform “Dil Dil Pakistan” alongside a Chinese guest who seemed at ease singing in a foreign language. In the Balti flower dance, boys and girl held garlands, while the solo flute tunes of Punjab and Rubab from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had many swaying to the soft music. Balochistan’s leva dance was also presented.
Towards the end, one of the guests said, “Even though we don’t speak the same language, the warmth and welcoming atmosphere was reflected through every gesture,” said one of them.
The event came to an end with a Pak-China friendship song where delegates from both countries came on to stage to sing, after which they took their last bow.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2012.
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China is not Pakistan's friend only India can be.
All Pakistanis love China and Chinese people.