Episode Notes

Thoughts on this Episode:

My conversation with Bina Jawwad is a fascinating insight into the history of Kathak in Pakistan from the perspective of a Kathakar who has the unique perspective of being involved in the art form before, during and after the 1977 military regime in Pakistan that had banned all dance forms.

Show Highlights:

0:01:42 Pakistan Pre 77 0:02:20 Auditioning for Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak's class 0:03:51 No Inhibition or taboo 0:04:41 Open and Casual atmosphere 0:05:08 Equal Number of boys and girls 0:06:50 Initial days of the ban 0:08:21 Courage 0:15:36 Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak 0:26:30 Ustad Behens and camraderie 0:42:22 Teaching to Little Kids : Anectode 0:58:00 Harsukh School 1:06:17 Legacy of Bina Jawwad

Bio:

Bina jawwad trained with Maharaj Ghulam Hussein Kathak after completing her BFA graphic design (1974) from department of fine Arts panjab university, became his assistant teacher , joined a private school to teach dance to students in the era of ban on all cultural activities during Martial Law (1977 to 1988) by dictator Zia Ul Haq. After the martial law was over, she choreographed many stage shows to re introduce the local culture and heritage to the people. Started learning classical vocal and met her teacher mirza Nasser Uddin, qawwal baccha guarana, 1995, started her training with him ( previously she was training with other vocal teachers ) , till the year he passed away ( 2014). Nowadays she teaches Kathak in schools and at home. Likes to remain out of public scene , unless it is to do with the promotion of the ethnic cultural traditions . She and her 3 daughters have a singing group called Harsakhiyan. Who sing for public events as well . They sing the local mystic poetry of saints . Runs a school for children of the neighborhood, who do not have educational facilities, which is based on cultural traditions called Harsukh.

Links to Social Media https://www.facebook.com/HarsukhSchool/ https://www.facebook.com/harsakhiyan https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCSg4qYYt_X2FByc55xpsw