LAHORE: Alhamra celebrated a night of performing arts on Monday when the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in collaboration with Lahore Arts Council organised a dance evening featuring folk and classical dances on the occasion of International Dance Day.

A large number of dance lovers attended the evening. The stage was illuminated and decorated with rose petals. A large backdrop featuring dancers performing at night added to the aesthetically pleasing ambiance. The dancers of National Performing Arts Group of the PNCA attired in dazzling costumes mesmerised the audience with nine performances.

The evening was dedicated to the late Master Zafar Dilawar, a renowned dancer who not only performed nationally, but also internationally. He was also the chief choreographer of the National Performing Arts Group.

The evening opened with a fusion of dances representing different civilisations and cultures. Attan, a traditional dance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was highly appreciated by the audience.

Amna Mawaz Khan, an Islamabad-based dancer and a student of the veteran Indu Mitha, spellbound the audience with a classical performance. Her dance earned her a thunderous applause. Amna, who has been dancing since she was 11, is also likely to be the key choreographer of the National Performing Arts Group soon.

The peacock dance, choreographed by the late Dilawar, was the highlight of the evening. A duo of male and female dancers received a standing ovation for their unique performance; the music transferred the audience to a jungle where two peacocks were dancing in frenzy.

Speaking on the occasion, Shakir Ali Museum Director Amna Pataudi said that every year PNCA celebrated International Dance Day. This year, the day was dedicated to Zafar Dilawar. She lauded the NPAG dancers for putting in great effort to make the show successful.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2019