#Male Dancers in Pakistan“L’ Homme de la Danse”
Dr. Hayam Qayyoum
“Contractor is paying only Rs: 250 for four to six hours performance. This amount of money is not sufficient for the livelihood. Contractor Allah Bakhsh’s group can perform Bhangra, luddi, sammi and jhumar,”said fifteen years old Nazakat.
“It is a way to amuse others, express happiness and also appreciated the traditional or folk dance. I have trained more than fifty male dancers, age ranging from four to forty years. These dancers play folk instruments too. Each of them can perform Punjab’s folk dance Bhangra, luddi, sammi, jhumar and dhammal. Baluch folk dance especially Lewa and Chap that is performed on weddings is difficult to learn. Folk dance of tribes of KPK called Attan including the unique styles of Quetta and Waziristan dancing style and a blend of Khattak Dance liked very much. Dance of Chitral and Sindhi dance Ho Jamalo and Jhumro are very popular in Pakistan,” said the Contractor, Saboogh Khan.
Male dancing evolved gradually in Pakistan’s society after resistance. The orthodox opposition and religious scholars still debate on this art of expression and prove that this act should be strictly forbidden in Islamic states. Since few years this form of performing art is supported by the Pakistan’s society and now people enjoy male and female dancing during marriages and on other occasions. Pakistan National Council of the Arts Islamabad promoted male classical and folk dancing and formed a group of male and female dancers to entertain the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Doctor Umar, a Physiotherapist at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi said, “dance is generally performed on dusty carpets, floors and sands. Overcrowded rooms’ air is poisoned by increased respiration. So dust particles, poisoned air and bioaerosols chock the lungs. Body movements are unnatural and violent resulting dislocation of ankle, knees and vertebral column.”
There are different forms of dancers some of them are solo performers and others are choreographers that guide others. There are lead dancers and rest of the group follows them. The followers are four to eight in number. State media promoted male folk dancers where as private channels’ content is loaded with 30 percent transsexual vulgar dancing, female solo and group dancing 25 percents, 30 percent male solo modern style dancing and 4 percent folk dancing. Dancing competition programmes are on air seven days a week that motivates the young generation and promotes all kinds of dances.
“Dance art is abused in our society. Poor people send their children to us. Children learn this art, perform on the streets and earn money. I have ten years of dancing experience and guide the newcomers. There is no salary at all. Contractor pays me Rs: 300 on every performance.” said Amjad, a lead dancer of Sindh dance group.
A group of dancers at traffic signal of Commercial Market, Satellite town Rawalpindi said, “We are already malnourished and dance needs lots of physical exercise and movement. We do not have enough money to spend on food. We have to send money to our families otherwise they would die with hunger. It is a seasonal business so we earn money in the wedding season only. In the form of small groups we wait for the people to call us. Our dens are traffic signals, road sides and round about. Contractor stays at the shop and takes the whole amount of money and gives us daily performance wage that is Rs: 100.”
A Physian of Ali Hospital, Islamabad, Dr. Khalid said, “The physical effect of dancing weakens the body, produces undue excitement and reactive prostration of the nervous system, poisoning and obstructing the lungs and throat, often resulting in haemorrhages, increase palpitation, heart disease, frequent headaches, and internal injuries of various kinds. Disco lights’ effect and heated body tempted to the colder atmosphere but at that time exposure to such air is not recommended otherwise it vasoconstricts the internal body system.”
It has been observed that advertisements promote dance in an ironic way. The presentation of groups of male and female on dancing floor, in open air, during taking meal and drinking world famous drinks or juices is projected in a way that it is highly recommended by a specialist.
Dr. Seema, a Psychologist said, “The most objectionable feature of dancing is its tendency to sensuality whether it is a night club dance, solo, group, indoor or outdoor performance. The body movements, attitudes, exposure of the body, nervous passionate excitement, always awaken evil and impure thoughts and feelings in which the filthy and passionate fun lovers end at nervous breakdown.”
