A dancing ovation to Nahid Siddiqui

LAHORE: It was an evening of music and dance at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, where emerging and professional dancers entertained a large audience.

The Pakistan National Council of Arts in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council organised a tribute in honour of classical dancer Nahid Siddiqui on Tuesday.

The stage was well decorated with flowers and multi-coloured lights. Music both eastern and western was the order of the evening. Light effects created a dreamy ambience with circles of many shades. The focus of the evening, Nahid Siddiqui, made a brief but magnificent speech.

She appreciated the way dance was being encouraged in Pakistan as new artistes were coming up and learning classical dance. She said it was the prayers and efforts of her teachers Mahraj Ghulam Hussain Kathak and Birju Mehraj that earned her the success.

“I never ran after fame. Eve when I started learning dance I never thought of becoming famous but God has given me a lot of recognition and fame for which I am extremely thankful to him,” she added. She held PNCA in high esteem for supporting local artistes from both performing and visual arts.

One of Nahid’s students, Rachel Waterman, who reached Pakistan from England to participate in the evening, said: “We all are part of the global dance community as far as Ms Siddiqui is concerned. She no doubt has inspired almost three generations of dancers.”

Dance performances that followed were generously appreciated. Students from the National College of Arts presented a collage of various dance forms, including contemporary, hip hop and classical. NCA Principal Professor Dr Murtaza Jaffri was also present on the occasion.

The National Performing Arts Group also entertained the audience. Clad in glittering attires, the young artistes came up with fine traditional dance performances.

Film director Syed Noor and classical dancer Zarin Pana were among the prominent personalities on the occasion besides people from different walks of life.