Nahid Siddiqui
Nahid Siddiqui is a renowned Kathak artist.[2][3] Nahid been a disciple of two great teachers: Baba Maharaj (also known as Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak) and Birju Maharaj. She has against all odds and challenges, spent decades of her life breathing hope, vitality, and exuberance to a dance form that has received very little state patronage and support. Through sheer perseverance, she has not only earned the reputation of a prolific artist but has also singlehandedly set a formidable standard of quality, a refined sensibility of aesthetics, and an intricate system of technical expertise that has received much acclaim all over the world. She is acknowledged for contributing her own style, technique, and expression (Gharana), which is imbued and informed by Islamic and Sufi aesthetics, sensibilities, and longing for ultimate union.[4] Siddiqui is ever-evolving her craft as she performs at major venues, festivals, and television worldwide.[5][6] She has been the recipient of several awards, including Pakistan’s Pride of Performance, the UK’s British Cultural Award, and the International Dance Award.[7][8]
Nahid Siddiqui | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
Nationality | British Pakistani |
Education | |
Occupation | Kathak choreographer, dancer |
Years active | 1970s - Present |
Organization | Nahid Siddiqui Foundation |
Known for | Kathak and choreography |
Children | Hassan Mohyeddin[1] |
Awards |
|
Website | www |
Early life
Nahid was born in Rawalpindi Pakistan. She is the eldest daughter of actor Talat Siddiqui[9] and Bashir Siddiqui. At the age of 3, she moved to Karachi with her parents. Her parents enrolled her in Happy Home School Karachi. In the late 1960s, she moved to Lahore with her parents and joined the University of Home Economics formerly known as Home Economics College.
Career
Nahid started learning Kathak from Baba Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak in 1971. After learning a few years from Baba Maharaj she joined PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) Arts Academy as a dancer. PIA Arts Academy was directed by Zia Mohyeddin. Nahid traveled with Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's entourage and performed all over the world. In 1978 she started a Television Dance Series named "Payal" on Pakistan Television, which was abruptly taken off air after 6 episodes. She got banned from dancing by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's regime. A ban on dance, for purposes of public morality, had deprived the country of Siddiqui’s innate grace and electrifying presence on stage.[10][11]After getting banned from dancing from her home country, Siddiqui started her journey in the UK.
References
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4726532/. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - "Nahid Siddiqui: A 'katha' of this life".
- "Muslims in the Hindu Dancing Arts: A History".
- "Global Marriages? How Some Biz Girls Escaped Them!".
- "Nahid Siddiqui".
- "Inner landscapes".
- "Reclaiming space".
- "Kathak dance: In the mystical world of Nahid Siddiqui".
- http://cineplot.com/talat-siddiqui/
- http://www.wluml.org/node/4589
- https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/555768-reclaiming-space