KARACHI: Despite the fact that it was a day marred by a volatile political situation — when a big number of protesters were manhandled by the police causing traffic jams on the roads leading to the Karachi Pres Club and the Arts Council of Pakistan on Sunday evening — art lovers packed the council’s main auditorium to see a variety of dances presented by renowned Pakistani groups.

They enjoyed them to the hilt. It was evident from their cheers and clapping that went on almost throughout the show titled Dance Junction Night, which was part of the ongoing World Culture Festival.

It had some very well-known names such as Nighat Chaudhry on the programme list; and some were a bit unfamiliar to Karachi audiences. It did not matter in the larger scheme of things because not one of them was received with indifference. Every artist performed to the best of their ability, which did not go unnoticed by the audience. For example, Jog Rangai group from Faisalabad came with their distinct flavour. Their bhangra was an instant hit. They did not go over the top with their act which was perhaps the reason that their performances looked playful yet measured.

Perhaps the surprise item, a pleasant surprise at that, was the performance from some students of the council’s dance department. The young girls and boys moved effortlessly to some of the latest remixed hits such as a Sufi track of Abida Parveen.

They were followed by a bunch from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). They chose to depict the five rhythmic shades of all provinces of Pakistan. It was a rather short piece, each preceding by a commentary in English introducing the province.

The gig lasted for almost two hours with not a single dull moment. Dance Junction was rounded off with a presentation of the Jugni by the council’s students and their teacher — the Coke Studio (2012) version sung by Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi which is now hugely popular all across the globe.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024