Daily Times

LAHORE: The National Performing Arts Group (NPAG) of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Shakir Ali Museum paid a rich tribute to the services of well-known dancer and choreographer Roshan Ara Bokhari in a ceremony on the eve of International Dance Day (IDD) at Aiwan-e-Iqbal.

Roshan Ara Bokhari has served 47 years in the field of dancing and choreography since 1965-2012.

On the occasion, numerous groups of NPAG, National College of Arts and Punjab Art Council performed different dances that enthralled the audience with their enthusiastic performance and received enormous applause from viewers.

The event has gained enormous success over the last few years to promote the soft image of Pakistan.

PNCA Shakir Ali Museum Director Amna Pataudi said that the purpose of setting up a cultural show was to celebrate and honour the IDD in the metropolis. The purpose was also to introduce different ethnic dance traditions through performers.

By organising such events, she said PNCA Shakir Ali Museum has contributed immensely to the rick fold traditions of Lahore.

Amna Pataudi further said that IDD was an annual event, which was appreciated and eagerly-awaited by the social and devoted artists for the last six years. NPAG Lahore office paid tribute to the dance icons of Pakistan including Naheed Siddiqui and Nighat Chaudhry.

Roshan Ara while talking exclusively to Daily Times said that she was very happy to witness the talent skills of the youth in the field of dance. “I hope that young generation will promote the name of our country through their dance performances and skills in this filed across the world.” Roshan Ara is the youngest daughter of Late Mian Abdul Aziz – Palak Paima and as in the liberal tradition of the family imbibed the love for sports, books, music and dance. She studied classical and field dancing from renowned classical dancers named Tara Chaudhry and Rafi Anwar from the age of 11. She has been a member of the Pakistan Cultural Delegation that went to China as one of the lead dancers in 1965. Roshan Ara has choreographed several thematic dances and field shows as well for the SAF games in 1988 and 2005.