Kuchipudi Dance Festival, a two-day event titled “Varieties of Dance: In the Style of Kuchipudi,” concluded in a grand manner at the Karachi Arts Council. The festival showcased the finesse, elegance, and emotional depth of the classical South Asian dance form, Kuchipudi. The event was choreographed by renowned choreographer and Kuchipudi exponent, Mohsin Babar, and featured 12 dancers, all of whom are scholarship holders of the Kuchipudi School of Performing Arts, a institution founded by Mohsin Babar. This school is the first of its kind in the city, dedicated solely to the teaching of Kuchipudi.
The dancers performed eight pieces, including group and solo numbers, which showcased traditional elements of Kuchipudi alongside fusion pieces, ghazals, and other experimental styles. These performances provided a comprehensive and immersive experience for the audience, highlighting the versatility and richness of Kuchipudi. Mohsin Babar stated that the primary goal of the festival was to break down societal stereotypes associated with dance, particularly the emphasis on ghungroos (anklet bells) as an essential component of dance. He emphasized that ghungroos are merely a tool for dancers, similar to a tabla for a tabla player.
Mohsin Babar is committed to promoting and preserving Kuchipudi through his mission, “Varieties of Dance.” The dance form is gradually becoming disconnected from the mainstream cultural scene. His approach is based on principles of inclusivity, and he offers complete scholarships to deserving students, enabling them to learn Kuchipudi under traditional tutelage, which would otherwise be unaffordable. As the city’s residents grow older and move to cities, Mohsin Babar plans to take his performances to smaller towns and villages, making classical dance accessible to those who rarely get to experience it.
The festival was supported by Novin Mangi, a writer, rural development expert, social entrepreneur, and patron of the arts. In a separate development, actress Nivin Mangi’s security was beefed up by the police after she received an alleged threatening call from Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
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