In the absence of a formal school for performing arts in Islamabad, a few dancing academies are filling the void and are offering classes in various forms of dances including classical and hip-hop.

Some of the academies have been established by well-known professional dancers.

However, the number of students enrolled is still very low. Many of those who have started classes have learned classical dance from Indu Mitha, a well known classical dancer and most of the students in these classes are foreigners.

Nestled in between two business outlets on Jinnah Avenue, Studio-8 offers classes in salsa, Bollywood dancing, Zumba as well as yoga. Most of the students are women, though some men have also enrolled. Students are first asked to do warm-up exercises and are then taught new steps for the day in the hour-long classes.

“Some of the students come because they want to learn some dances for a wedding and others see dancing as a way to keep fit,” said Syed Faizan Ahab, a trainer at the academy.

He said the trend in Karachi and Lahore for hiring choreographers for weddings has not yet come to Islamabad which is why dancing classes are convenient for those with upcoming weddings.

Mr Ahab said he has been teaching dance lessons since 2009 and also works at the French Club in the Diplomatic Enclave. Syed Faizan Ahab teaches bollywood dancing at Studio-8. He said bollywood dancing is more popular with people because they can perform the dances they learn in weddings as well.

Mr Ahab said he is a self-taught dancer and has received basic training in Lahore as well.

“Dancing is also a good way to lose weight and keep fit. It helps reduce stress and improves blood circulation,” he said.

A student at the academy, Roomi Hunzai said the dances in his local Hunza were slower and that he had to work hard at his dancing to keep up with the more fast pace dancing styles taught at the academy.

“I joined the academy to keep fit and not because I wanted to learn dances for a wedding,” said Mishaal Ahmed, a student at the studio.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017