Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in collaboration with the Alhamra Arts Council arranged an impressive dance and musical evening to pay a tribute to a living legend – Zareen Suleman Panna – a classical and Kathak dancer, for her remarkable services in the Pakistanis dance industry on late Saturday night.

Representing Pakistan across the globe, Panna has mesmerised the world several times through her fabulous dance performances.

She is the fifth dancer, besides Naheed Siddique, Nighat Chaudhry, Roshan Ara Bokhari, who has been honoured by PNCA.

State Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Maryam Aurangzeb was the chief guest, while Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera was the guest of honour. However, both of them did not participate in the event.

Classical dancer Nighat Chaudhry dazzled the audience with her dance performance. Several other artists also enthralled the audience with their enthusiastic dances and received round of applause from the audience.

Shakir Ali Museum Director Amna Pataudi, Sukh Chaen Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Neena Akbar, Mustafa Qureshi, journalists, models and people from different walks of life attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Amna Pataudi said that the PNCA had been paying tribute to dance icons of Pakistan since 2011. She said that the yearly event had gained enormous success over the years. Talking to Daily Times, Panna said that “classic things never die while rhythm and chord always alive together”. She said that classic dance and music gave message of harmony and peace to music and dance lovers.

“Good music and dance always bring smile on the face of spectator and listeners,” she said, adding: I always try to highlight the soft and positive image of country through my dance performances.”

Practicing the fine art of dance six the age of six, Zareen Suleman Panna had once been the epitome of the performing art. In the late 50s she made her debut on the big screen, her first appearance was in a commercial that served as a stepping stone for greater milestones. But in her prime, she left the dazzling world of stage and cinema preferring to help her director-husband with the goings-on of behind the scenes.

However, after a long hiatus, she returned to her first love; dance. She has also opened a dance institute in Lahore. She has performed in more than 60 films, including Gulfam, Sukh Ka Sapna, Neela Perbat, Haveli, Tauba, Azra, Insaan Badalta Hai, Qaidi, Sarwaza, Mouj Mela, Bazigar, Charagh Jalta Raha, Aurat Ek Khani, Paigham, Sartaj, choorian, Gul Bakawali, Ishrat, Devana, Raat Key Rahi and others.