Poetry in motion is the best way to describe dance movements that are graceful and a pleasure to watch. Those who attended the event showcasing Pakistani classical dance artiste, Tehreema Mitha at Kuch Khaas had the good fortune to witness a couple of hours of her performance as well as that of her workshop pupils and snippets of videos, she has recorded at her studio. It was a rare treat well worth attending.
The event began a little late and was attended by dance aficionados who came to witness this rare treat — among the poet and activist Kishwar Naheed — and of-course Tehreema’s mother, the indomitable, Indu Mitha, who is an icon of dance. Looking lovely in her costume (modified a little because she was performing in Pakistan) the pretty and petite dancer began by explaining what she was going to portray in her first number and it was a great help in understanding the movements for the uninitiated among us! After this beautiful demonstration she did another, then the workshop group, which included two well known artistes, Amna Mawaz and Faryal Amal Aslam along with Jasmine Arandia; Iftikhar and Farhan performed a contemporary dance with a strong classical influence that really made for an exciting new look at how genres can be mixed to produce something different but beautiful.
The youngsters were really good and performed without a hitch. The three video clips showcased contemporary compositions titled ‘Baad-e-Sabah’ (A Fresh Morning Breeze), ‘Ma Matti’ (Scent of the Earth) and ‘Raqs-e-Rooh’ (the dance of the soul). The show concluded with more dances of which the audience could not get enough. Throughout the performance, Tehreema — speaking in a clear and mellifluous voice explained the how’s and why’s of what she was portraying. She explained that she and her mother had wanted to go forward from the traditional form of the ‘bharatnatyam’ and make it more suitable to our times and the climate of dance that is prevalent these days.
They have amalgamated different dance forms with their own interpretation and come out with new (and exciting) pieces. There was a lot more about dance and music interspersed between the performances, which was very interesting and increased our knowledge. One thought provoking opinion she expressed was that Sufism is deep and beautiful and we should give it more respect — and from what I gathered, she is not too appreciative of the whirling form of tribute generally practiced!
At present, an artistic Director of Tehreema Mitha Dance Company based in Maryland, USA. She began her training in Pakistan at the age of seven with Guru Indu Mitha and her professional career in 1986 with a performance at the Goethe Institute because no other forum would dare to feature dance in that era. (‘I was there’ said Kishwar Naheed). She gives full evening solo performances and also performs her ensemble. She has choreographed extensively also composes all of her own music and often sings as well.
It has to be said that Tehreema should have been booked for a larger audience since we are starved of such programmes and hopefully when she comes again to Pakistan — soon — more people will be able to see her wonderful performance.
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