LAHORE, Sept 11: The City District Government will seek public opinion on a controversy about inclusion of dances in stage plays and musical shows.

Public opinion will be sought by the CDG’s Community Development Department entrusted with the task of formulating recommendations for resolving it. The department officials are of the view that there is no justification for an outright ban on dances due to objections by a section of society.

They say there is nothing wrong with dance itself as it is a form of performing art. The recent public furore was not against dance as a form of art, but against dirty dancing during which women artistes made sensuous and obscene gestures towards the spectators.

A temporary ban has already been placed on the inclusion of dances in stage plays. The dances already included in the scripts of the plays have to be deleted for continuation of performances. The chief secretary has directed district coordination officers to ensure that dances were not included in the plays.

Meanwhile, a committee comprising theatre owners, artistes, playwrights, directors and government officials has submitted its recommendations on the subject for a necessary action by the government.

The committee has proposed censoring the scripts of stage plays and full-dress rehearsal three days prior to the opening, for the arts council and CDG officials for issue of no objection certificates. It has also proposed that stage artistes should perform in only one play at a time and that the theatres be closed by midnight positively.

It has proposed imposition of a ban on the performance of artistes using vulgar language or making indecent gestures during their performance on stage. It has also suggested that action should be taken against the directors of objectionable dramas and the owners of theatres where these are staged.