Sacred Dance and Censorship in Pakistan
Begins at 37 min
In the 1970s, the Pakistani government outlawed all kinds of cultural performances, from theater and music shows to classical dancing. Under General Zia ul Haq, the arts were considered haraam, or forbidden by the teachings of Islam. But that didn’t stop a tiny group of Pakistani dancers, who continued to practice and perform privately. One of them is Tehreema Mitha, the subject of a new documentary, "The Vigil."
Tehreema Mitha now travels around the world to perform traditional Bharatanatyam dances. She also performs in a style of her own design, fusing contemporary and classical dance styles to tell modern, human stories.
For our DC listeners: The Vigil will be screened at the Goethe Institute on February 12th as part of the Our City Film Festival.
Tehreema Mitha, founder of the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company
Arya Surowijojo, director and producer of "The Vigil"
