Apromising Kathak dancer and singer, Hammad Rasheed is one of very few courageous youngsters who overcome all odds and dare to opt for challenging art forms like classical dance, taking it as profession.

He was into music from a very young age. A keen listener of classical music, Hammad developed a passion for the singing of Baday Ghulam Ali Khan, Slamat Ali Khan, Roshan Ara Begum and Begum Akhtari Faizabadi when he was in senior school.

Popular for his singing in school and family, he was pushed by his close friends to learn singing properly.

He went to Lahore Arts Council, Alhamra, to train as a vocalist.

Then he started taking dance classes, where he got basic lessons in Kathak.

“The aura of dance class, performances and personality of the teacher, Naila Riaz, mesmerised me. In a fraction of a second I realised that this is my place and I am meant for dance. I came home after the first lesson and waited for every one to sleep so that I could go to rooftop and practice secretly,” he vividly recalls.

“I would go to Alhamra during off-days to practice in empty studios. Considering my enthusiasm, the teacher allowed me to go for public performances only after a training of three months that helped me a great deal in building my confidence as a performer,” he added.

He worked for Ajoka Theatre for a few months as an actor and dancer. “I hate acting but working with professional actors, performing abroad, especially in India, was quiet an amazing experience.

“I feel myself blessed and lucky to be appreciated by both Indian and Pakistani viewers,” he said.

Despite being an introvert who always feel shy while singing on stage, Hammad made an entirely different relation with dancing.

“I don’t know what ecstasy is, but (when I dance) I feel free of all worries, everything vanishes except me and the rhythm. I feel like in an ocean moving in harmony with waves,” he says.

Meeting with senior Kathak performer and teacher Bina Jawad was a watershed moment in his artistic career.

“I went to her house without any appointment. She asked me to demonstrate my dancing skills for a few minutes.

“Responding to my serious approach, she offered me training for free. After a few months practice, she was kind enough to engage me as an assistant to teach at Lahore Grammar School,” he says.

After doing his masters in English literature, he joined the LGS as a regular dance teacher and choreographer where he is working till date.

He is currently volunteering for Alhamra, which he considers as his mother institution.

With a good number of public performances to his credit, he got noticed by the art circles, especially after his stunning performances at ‘Annual Recital of Dance Class 2014’ in Alhamra and another at ‘Firdous-e-Gosh’ aired by the PTV World last year.

Hammad is grateful to his family, especially elder sisters and mother, who remained supportive.

“We are a conservative family. My mother was initially shocked to see the set of ‘ghungroo’ I bought from India.

“However, after watching a video recording of my performance, she allowed me to pursue my passion,” he says.

Kathak maestros like Naheed Siddiqui, Faseh-ur-Rehman and Birju Maharaj have always been a sources of inspiration for Hammad.

“I have great respect for Pakistani dancers because they are doing excellent work while facing social discrimination and financial hardship,” he said in a bitter tone.

Hammad performs a variety of dances but feels more close to pure classical forms and believes that the classical music of legendary singers, especially Begum Akhtari Faizabadi, has made a lasting impression on his personality and work.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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