Source: news.bbc.co.uk
RAWALPINDI, INDIA, August 11, 2009: For the last five decades, 80-year-old Indu Mitha has been teaching the beautiful and deeply religious Bharatanatyam dance to Pakistanis. Dance, it seems, can cross cultural and religious boundaries.
Teaching traditional Indian dance in Pakistan required a delicate balancing act, which she successfully performed along her dance steps. Dance was considered “haraam” – or un Islamic – during the tenure of President Zia ul Haq, when a “no objection certificate” was needed for every performance.
Identified with the Hindu religion, Bharatanatyam originated in southern India and has spread worldwide. The delicate, highly emotional dance form is characterized by glittering costumes, colourful lyrics and the frequent use of percussion instruments.