LAHORE: History by Night Tours have become a platform for the revival of lost and dying art of peacocks and classical kathak performance. Daily Times on Sunday learnt that peacock and classical kathak performances have been added as a regular feature in this tour which has been launched by Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). The classical and peacock dance performances are held inside Sheesh Mahal where the tourists are taken through candle lights illuminations, escorted by Mughal era costumed guards and guides. The classical dancer and peacock performer became a point of the selfies for the tourists. The professional performers from Islamabad and Gujranwala have been called in to perform there. Talking to Danish, a peacock dancer and gold medalist from the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), said that it was a dying art and the new generation was completely unaware of what this dance meant and how it was performed. “The peacock dance is a traditional performance of this region which describes the beauty and the movement of a peacock. My teacher was Sir Faqir Hussain Saga who was known for this dance internationally but after his death, the art also vanished. We who are carrying on this art are in a poor state of living and being transgender, people consider us a taboo in society and do not respect our art. I have to work really hard to earn a respectable living with such performances as this is the only art I know. I think the government should make centres for the learning of this art so that we get a better livelihood. I was overwhelmed when people came to me for selfies and information for learning this art,” Danish told Daily Times. Talking to Daily Times, a tourist from Canada attending the tour, Hamza Ali Khan said that he had never anticipated this kind of performance and it was new for his children. “A very dark and depressing picture of Pakistan is sketched before the international world which is upsetting for people like us who love their country. I think Pakistan should also promote these activities on media instead of the scary and terrorising side of Pakistan,” the tourist expressed. Talking about the dying art of classical and peacock dance, senior kathak performer and teacher Bina Jawad lamented that classical dance was becoming a dying art. “It is a vanishing art form and I am disheartened over the fact. The performances started by WCLA will revive interest in this dying art and provide an opportunity for the artists to earn a better living. We at Harsukh are also trying to promote Pakistani cultural heritage which includes classical music and dance as well as the folk music and dance. These disciplines are needed in today’s modern era of quick fixes,” Bina Jawad said. A classical dancer and a teacher at PNCA, Sunaina, while talking to Daily Times, said that she was extremely encouraged to visit Lahore and perform in the historic setting which was not less than a dream for her. “We have to fight to earn a better livelihood and a respectable place in the society which we hardly find. I felt dignified when I was called to perform here and this initiative will help many performers get recognition and financial support,” she said. WCLA Marketing & Tourism Director Asif said, “Night Tourism was something that was lacking in Pakistan and WCLA has become a pioneer and trendsetter for this kind of tourism for the first time in Pakistan. These cultural performances will also be a regular part of these tours now.” WCLA Deputy Director Media & Marketing Tania Qureshi said, “I am depressed over the present conditions of the artists in this country. They are not given due respect and place in the society and people with rigid mind sets have associated taboos with such performances. Whether the performer is a male, female or a transgender, they need admiration and respectful earning. They need to be taken as esteemed citizens of Pakistan like others. Artists performing these arts of classical or any kind of dance are mostly transgender now but it doesn’t mean that they should be disrespected. We have invited these performers from Gujranwala and Islamabad to showcase their art before the public and to save this art from dying. I thing being in WCLA we must contribute in saving the dying tangible and intangible culture. These tours are held on every Friday and Saturday and these artists will be performing regularly there.” WCLA DG Kamran Lashari was of the opinion that History By Night had been a dream project for WCLA which is now picking up and hundreds of tourists from all over Pakistan and all age groups are attending it. “Our heritage is our dignity and we must preserve and promote it. We have illuminated the Huzoori Bagh Complex and few parts of Lahore Fort like Sheesh Mahal and Summer Palace and these have been opened for the public for the first time at night for the tourists. I want the young generation to get close with the culture and heritage of their forefathers,” he commented. Published in Daily Times, April 23rd 2018.