Two-day event will feature performances, panel discussions, workshops celebrating legacy of Kathak dance
The Alhamra Arts Council announced its first “Kathak Festival” in tribute to Maharaj Ghulam Hussain, also known as Maharaj Kathak and Baba Maharaj. The event is scheduled to take place on May 7 and 8, and will feature performances by a range of artists from across Pakistan.
The event was announced on Instagram. Organisers shared that it will include in-depth panel discussions and interactive workshops titled “Thaat” and “Abhinaya,” to be led by senior artists.
Kathak, derived from the Sanskrit word “Katha” which means “story”, was one of the eight major forms of dance during the pre-partition era. It originated from Northern India and is known as an art form characterised by footwork, expressive storytelling, facial expressions, and pirouettes.
Maharaj Ghulam Hussain dedicated his life to nurturing and preserving Kathak in Lahore after the partition through performance, teaching, and rigorous discipline. His efforts laid the foundation for generations of Kathak practitioners in Pakistan.
The upcoming festival aims to keep this history alive by celebrating the cultural traditions woven into Kathak, while bridging the gap between its sacred roots and contemporary aesthetics. For Lahoris, it serves as an invitation to pause and engage with the rhythm of tradition.
Organisers have invited Kathak artists from across the country to apply and present their work, opening submissions for emerging talent. Some of the selected participants include Kanza Bano, Timsal Fatima, Hammad Rasheed, Nighat Chaudhry, Jessica Zakria Iqbal, and Adnan Jahangir, among others.
The festival is also partnering with Naqshepaa, a platform dedicated to bringing together heritage, art, and film to share stories rooted in identity and culture. Through the collaboration, the event seeks to bridge the past, document histories, and support contemporary artists.
