LAHORE: Cultural organisations around the world are celebrating the age-old tradition of dance, be it bhangra, salsa, tango or rumba, on the International Dance Day on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Music and dance academies in Lahore have planned events of their own but the prime attraction for many will be the Pakistan National Council of Arts’ tribute to classical dancer Naheed Siddiqui. The event is scheduled to be held at the Alhamra Art Center, The Mall.

Amna Pataudi, director of the Shakir Ali Museum (a subsidiary of the PNCA), said the council wanted to appreciate and admire the support and huge contribution of Naheed Siddiqui towards the promotion of classical dance in Pakistan as its great exponent. The event would also portray the country’s soft image.

It would be a memorable evening, with lots of performances and special décor arrangements. The stage would be bedecked with flowers and Naheed Siddiqui’s portrait would add elegance to the evening.

Ms Pataudi said the students of Naheed Siddiqui would come up with performances and she (Naheed) might also perform besides sharing her story and endeavours to promote classical dance in Pakistan.

The National Performing Arts Group of the PNCA has planned three performances for the evening which will be eagerly looked forward to by dance fanciers as they will see a combination of classical and contemporary dances.

Bina Jawad’s students from the Lahore Grammar School will present an exclusive dance performance.

A number of film, television and theatre stars, past and present, will add glitter to the event. Invitations have also been sent to embassies and cultural bodies.