KARACHI In Tehrik-e-Niswan`s unique dance drama, `Song of Mohenjodaro`, the mound of the dead is beautifully brought back to life.

The 90-minute ballet, choreographed by Sheema Kermani, was staged at the Karachi Arts Council on Wednesday to commemorate World Dance Day and to extend the troupe`s thirtieth anniversary celebrations. A near full house enjoyed an evening of movement and music, and a trip back in time.

Originally performed in 1992, `Song of Mohenjodaro` narrates the story of a young man, Peelu, who forbids his fiancée Bahirvi from dancing. Upset about the disagreement with his betrothed, Peelu only calms down when he journeys down the Indus River with his friend Bihag - only to find out that he has time travelled to 2500 B.C.

In the performance, movement and silhouette are used to animate the ancient Indus Valley civilisation. Classical kathak, various folk dances, and touches of contemporary movement are used to evoke a great ancient city and its residents.

We see Mohenjodaro`s residents sowing fields, worshipping at dawn, exercising, celebrating, flirting, and exhilarating in a rainfall after a long dry spell. The most powerful dance sequence shows villagers suffering through a red-hot drought, praying for rain.

Not surprisingly, Kermani herself steals the show with a dance sequence that is part rain dance, part courtship.

Audiences enjoyed the energetic dances - particularly those featuring an all-male line up - as well as a chance to see archetypal characters such as the priest king and the famous dancing girl in living action.

Moreover, Tehrik-e-Niswan excels once again in bringing together a cast of dozens and yet managing to keep on-stage movement seamless and spontaneous. It is heartening to know that there is a generation of young, talented dancers to keep the art alive for decades to come.

Audiences who missed Wednesday night`s show can see another performance on April 30.