• by IPS Correspondents (islamabad)
• Tuesday, November 15, 1994
• Inter Press Service

ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (IPS) - When Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto left for a state visit to Turkmenistan last month, her official entourage included a dance troupe with a female classical dancer featuring prominently.

Nothing unusual for most countries, where such cultural exchanges are routine. But for Pakistan, where dancing has been banned under strict Islamic laws for 15 years, it was an unobtrusive step against religious fundamentalism.

The "islamisation" of Pakistan society by military administrator Zia-Ul Haq in 1977 was a ruse to prolong his period of power, says Mehdi Hassan, a professor of communications at Punjab University.

"Zia made sure that all political and social activities that could lead people to demand democratic or fundamental rights and freedoms were curbed. Dance, drama - anything that would made people think - were all banned," says actress Samina Ahmed.

Only mindless, bawdy dances in films and 'mujras' or dances performed by courtesans for wealthy patrons in drawing rooms and red-light areas were allowed right up to the time Zia died in an aircrash six years ago.

"Dance was banned for years, even in the previous Benazir Bhutto government. But this time, in Bhutto's second term, things are left unsaid and there isn't that kind of censorship although officially it is still not allowed," says Usman Peerzada, a producer of plays.

Performing artists here say that this dual policy - official censorship and unofficial freedom to perform - is better than nothing.

Part of the government's unsung liberalisation was the organising of an 'Artisans-at-Work' festival at Islamabad recently where dance troupes from 70 Asian and African countries were invited to perform.

At the festival's opening parade, Central Asian and African troupes danced on floats that wound their way through crowds on Islamabad's impressive Jinnah Avenue with the picturesque Margalla Hills forming a natural backdrop.

"It was a bit of a shock. I had forgotten that women can dance in public," said an actress who works for the government, requesting anonymity.

Dancers from the newly independent Central Asian Republics performed everyday for 10 days, with daily telecasts of their performances over state-run television -- a sharp contrast from the times when even women running were censored on the media. (MORE)

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© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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