Smooth Sailing
Adnan Jahangir had lost count of the number of times he had replayed the song for his daughter to get that one-step right. “It’s just one slight bend of the finger, why can’t she get it right?” Jahangir thought to himself. He wasn’t agitated or mad at her daughter who looked quite distressed to him. Every time she would get it wrong, he would play the song all over again for her to try it one more time. He wasn’t someone to give up so easily.
The show was due in three days, he had to look after the logistics, pack his bags for the event at GIKI. There was a lot running on his mind, yet he wasn’t losing his peace. He had to make her get it right. This was her first show ever and she couldn’t go wrong with this one.
In the midst of all this chaos all Jahangir could think of was how dance taught hem patience. It is one of those things Islam emphasizes on repeatedly and yet dance is criticized for being vulgar and un-Islamic, how so? He could not make sense of it then when he started off his career and he still can’t make sense of it.
“People these days lose their heads in seconds and indulge themselves in fights almost every day. This is something our religion stops us from too, then why doesn’t anyone condemn that,” said Jahangir. “Why does everyone find fault in classical dance when it is something that teaches us the art of patience and perseverance?”
When Jahangir crossed paths with Bina Jawwad, a Kathak maestro, his life changed for the better. Jawwad gave his life a much needed direction. She mentored him the path to Kathak and dug out the talent within him. Jahangir feels meeting Jawwad was
one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Before meeting Jawwad, dance meant nothing for Jahangir, but frolicking to the beats of Bollywood songs at Mehendi functions. Since then there was no looking back for the Kathakar. Jahangir, whose forte is Kathakali started off his journey in the year 1999 and learned classical dance from many teachers starting off with Bina Jawwad. He trained under several gurus after that. One of his other greatest findings was Guru Rajendra Gangani jee in India, in the year 2011.
Every year he pays Gangani jee a visit for one month’s extensive training in India. Many years ago, Jahangir also had a chance to rigorously practice with the Kathak maestro Nahid Siddiqi for four years. Apart from the mentorships, Jahangir attended several workshops too on Kathak.
One closest to his heart is that of Guru Kumudini Lakhia jee in India. “I believe it takes a beginner 10 years of meticulous training to hone his skills and make his way up the ladder, but the process of learning never ends,” said Jahangir.
Adnan Jahangir performing at "Heritage Now", a festival arranged to celebrate cultural heritage of Pakistan in Lahore
It was a smooth sailing for Jahangir as compared to many other artists in Pakistan, although his parents took seven years to accept his profession. However, Adnan considers himself quite lucky in terms of the criticism he garnered over the years on his career choices. Jahangir also believes that he has a thick skin and a nonchalant attitude towards destructive criticism and mockery. “To be honest I don’t really care what people have to say about me or my professional choices,” said Jahangir. “I accept the compliments with a thank you and those who have nothing good to say can’t say it to my face, so why should I care anyway?”
The Kathak artist takes immense pride in having a supportive spouse by his side. “My wife has been understanding throughout,” said Jahangir. “She is a miniature artist but she also designs all my costumes for my performances.”
Jahangir who has devoted his life to classical and folk dancing seems content with the life he is living. The only thing that saddens him is the lack of exposure to performing arts in Pakistan. He believes it is one of the major reasons why the whole concept of classical dance is alien to the majority of Pakistanis. This is why they don’t take a second in linking it to dirty dancing.
“It is quite difficult for one to convince someone to eat a dish that they haven’t tasted before,” said Adnan Jahangir, explaining the destructive criticism that is hurled towards classical dancers in Pakistan. “Same is the case with classical dancing, the whole idea of it is so foreign to many people in Pakistan that they find it easier to call it vulgar than seeing what it actually is.”
In all these years, Jahangir has had the fortune of working on some great projects. Quite early in his career Jahangir had the honor of working with Shoaib Mansoor. Some of his notable works with Mansoor include Supreme Ishq’s ‘Tere Ishq Nachaya’ and ‘Anarkali’ starring the infamous model Imaan Ali.
Adnan Jahangir performing Kathak in Taskopru, Turkey
To get his creative juices flowing, Jahangir needs his space and creative liberty to give shape to his performances. One step in his personal space and he loses his orientation.
The Kathak exponent’s performances speak for his notion of having a creative liberty. One of his productions called Chakkar, performed at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore in 2015 was based on the idea of eliminating the negativity around one and taking in harmony, love and respect only.
It was an hour long performance where Jahangir shared the stage with Samiya Mumtaz and Nighat Chaudhry. Clad in a typical frock worn by male Kathakars, Jahangir appeared on stage with two young artists, and broke into a perfectly synced footwork. He swayed with such grace on stage that it almost looked effortless.
The artist’s performances are indicative of his passion and experience that he has earned in 19 years. He is someone who doesn’t shy away from exploring new avenues, and isn’t afraid of producing something that may not strike a chord with the audience. He produces what he truly believes in.
Jahangir feels Pakistan has a long way to go in understanding the dire need for the performing arts in the country. He thinks the natives need to learn to differentiate between religion and culture.
Adnan Jahangir performing 'Chakkar' with Samiya Mumtaz in Lahore
Dance is part of the Pakistani culture and it has nothing to do with religion. He however feels that what dance teaches the artists is what Islam preaches too. It teaches patience. It takes years of hard work to learn the art of classical dancing. There is no easy way to learn this art. And he expressed that Islam teaches us patience too.
This nation has such misplaced priorities that they cannot be fixed overnight. We have played our part in promoting our culture. Now it is up to our coming generations to take the lead and carry on our legacies.
“I am doing my part by teaching my daughter this art,” said Jahangir. “She will soon be performing with me at Ghulam Ishaq Khan University.”