Sehar Tariq
There is dancing on the streets of Pakistan. In markets, in malls and in restaurants, groups of young people are breaking out into dance. And it’s wonderfully choreographed and spectacularly synchronized. But what are we dancing for when there is so little to be happy about?
The dancing is part of Coca Cola’s new advertising campaign in Pakistan. The phenomenon is called a flash mob and has been used a marketing gimmick in Western countries but I believe is being done for the first time in Pakistan. The company has hired groups of young people both boys and girls (yes girls too!) to dance to the new coca cola jingle in crowded public places.
It begins with one person breaking out into dance and strategically positioned “onlookers†joining in. Towards the end there are about ten people dancing. The dancers seem to be in their twenties and urban middle class youth, probably belonging to the more privileged segments of society given their trendy clothing.
The dance is fun and I cannot help but tap my foot to the upbeat music of the jingle. Also, I cannot help but be amazed at the courage of these young people dancing on the streets in such times. Yes, it’s a corporate gimmick and yes they must be paid for it but given the rising levels of intolerance in our society towards things like music and dance (especially where it involves a performance by both men and women together) it’s still pretty brave.
The locations are carefully selected. So far it’s been performed at more upscale locations in Lahore and Karachi where the crowd is more likely to be accepting of the co-ed dancing. But a group of performers performed in Liberty market in Lahore where there was no crowd screening or control.
It takes courage to perform in public. It takes even more courage when there are small but violent segments of society that are opposed to such artistic expression and have exercised violent means to put an end to such performances in the past.
What is heartening is that so far there have been no reports of any kind of violence or aggression against the dancers. Lots of videos up on you tube show, surprised Pakistanis looking at the dancers with amazement and then some even joining in with clapping or nodding or tacit smiles and in the rare case by joining in the dance!
Indeed there will be segments of our society who will claim that this must be stopped as it’s against our culture and this is an exercise in corrupting the morals of our society. There will be those who claim that this is foreign propaganda. But I believe it is an expression of our cultural evolution. The popularity of music and dance from around the world is evident in Pakistan. And while we might deny it, music and dance remain deeply entrenched in our historical and cultural legacy as well as in our displays of happiness at festivals even today.
As I see these talented young Pakistanis dance with such skill and gusto and enthusiasm, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride. The numerous complements of non-Pakistani friends on the sheer creative genius of Pakistanis and their dancing abilities also did wonders for my Pakistani ego. After all, whoever these young Pakistanis are, they do a pretty good job and would put even top Bollywood dancers to shame. And the effortless and carefree joy with which they dance makes me nostalgic for gentler and happier times in Pakistan. But as I watch these young people break out into dance I cannot help but smile as I look to those around them.
There is something strangely heartening in watching people letting go of their fear of expressing joy in public and joining in the fun. It reminds me that our spirits have not been entirely crushed by the recent years of terror and violence. It makes me proud that we still have the courage to view with tolerance a form of expression that we might not approve of. It gives me proof that we are more tolerant than the world makes us out to be. It gives me hope for a better future.
More comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “im sorry but this country was founded by Jinnah on secular ideals. it was never meant to be an islamic republic..it only became so later on.
furthermore, stop being so narrow minded by picking up on small petty things like this. give it a break man..our country has much bigger things to worry about.
small things like these simply put a smile on people’s faces (as was seen in the video)..we Pakistanis deserve that right especially after the torment our country is going through.
if you really want Allah to guide this country on the right path or show this ‘haya,’ then start by praying that the people of this country stop lieing, stop asking for bribes, become honest, stop the sectarian violence..amongst many other things.
commenting about a bunch of guys dancing and having some fun on a jingle should really be the least of our worries.”
– “lighten up folks…. its a neat marketing tactic that was done decently…. we Pakistanis have made life miserable for ourselves by using religion as a slogan. Islam doesnt mean becoming the Taliban or Wahabis. Song and dance was and is part of our culture, so just chill!”
– “ok mazay karoo pir ALLAH malik hai …. sorry for writing.
aur qaid ke sirf ye cheez ap ko pata hai par agay ye b kaha tha k hamain aik jaga chaye jahain ham islam ko pori tara parakh sakain aur azma sakain apni zindagioon main … ALLAH farmata hai tum kise k jhotay khuda ko bura na kahoo warna wo tumaray suchay khuda ko bura kahay ga .”
– “Seriously, all of you guys need to calm down. This is one of most inspiring things to come out of Pakistan in months. I salute these young people for their courage and talent.
It’s hard to believe that just a year ago in a different part of the country, women were being flogged and publicly abused for not abiding by the Taliban’s medieval code of conduct.
Have we already forgotten what happened to Shabana, the renowned dancer from Swat who was shot dead by the Taliban for pursuing her craft?
Pakistan’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, which also means freedom FROM religion. I am fully aware that mixed public dancing is un-Islamic behavior, but if these young people want to express themselves in such a way, then so be it. No one should be forced to abide by religious laws and tenets that they don’t ascribe to.
Pakistanis are always talking about how we need to be projecting a softer image of Pakistan and this is a perfect way to do just that. People around the world (or at least those who can appreciate the time, energy, and skill that goes into coordinating them) love flash mobs.
I can’t wait to share this with my American friends so that they can see that there is more to Pakistan than burqas and bomb attacks. We too have young people who know how to channel their talent and energy into something artistic and creative.”
– “To all the religious-minded folks who have commented before me, spare us your self-righteous indignation. No matter how hard you may try to whitewash Pakistani culture to suit your fundamentalist tastes, there is no denying that dance has been an integral part of our heritage and the heritage of greater South Asia. Look no further than Pakistanis such as Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak, Nahid Siddiqui and Nighat Chaudhry.
Geo TV has produced an enlightening documentary on the history of dance which you can watch at the link below. It focuses specifically on classical Pakistani / South Asian dance, which is the product of both Muslim and Hindu influences.
Pakistanis have danced for generations and will continue to do so, no matter what you and your mullahs say.”
– “nothing gets Pakistanis more angry than to see young people having fun.”
– “no one forbids you from having fun, but fun should be in limits. it should not cross the boundaries that our religion has assigned. Prophet pbuh and his companions also used to have fun that was quite different from that we have today. tell me, where in Islam, where the gathering of adult wen and women without any obvious reason is allowed?? tell me, where it is allowed for adult girl and boy to dance this? don’t cross the boundaries of your religion, otherwise God may curse you”
– “this country is Islamic Republic of Pakistan, i can show you many of of the extracts of Quaid’s speeches where he told how Pakistan is Islamic republic of Pakistan.”
– “it’s not our heritage, it’s the heritage of non believers that we have inclined towards”
– “yeah .. Islam doesnt teach us at all to be dancing around in streets .. our youth is going so astray .. be true muslims .. instead of dancing in the streets, wear some suicide vests and go blow a few hundred innocent bystanders – thats Islam for you .. and thats the idea of the youth to lead their life (or death)”
– “Bhai, Allah itna boring naheen hai jaisa aap bana rahaiN hain.”
– “Very good to see this. Lets take Pakistan BACK from the Maulvis. Pakistan is for PAKISTANIS. All PAKISTANIS. Pakistan Zindabad.”
Bad dancing. Good idea.
Let the music and dancing continue. But I hope the music and the dancing can be better :-)
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “This is another low…total crap…”
– “yeah…insanity is what we call this !!”
– “Nice! where can I download the song from ??
and to the above comments: Yes, pakistan and islam are both at an extreme threat because a few boys and girls are dancing. all righteous souls, please step forward and save pakistan!!! ”
– “it is minor, granted, but still it comes under WTF category. Not that it is a threat to Islam or Pakistan, it is just dumb doing it in a restaurant? Totally pathetic, even the people inside the restaurant had WTF expressions.
Again, this should not be happening in an Islamic country.
Righteous souls have already stepped forward,….:)”
– “Allah hidayat de aise logun ko………….ameen..:)”
– “Just some young kids letting some steam out, no harm done.”
– “not few are dancing..situation prevails throughout the elite class..Does islam allows free mixing of girls and boys,,breaking the Hijab(Hijab is not just veil or burqa..its a way of dressing ),,????????May ALLAH guide us all to straight path.aameen”
– “Thats Coca Cola’s campaign! Not bad!”
– “come on guys. why do you guys have to involve religion with everything?! we need to become tolerant of each other..isn’t that the most important thing?
@: it’s strictly your opinion that you consider it to be WTF thing. and i fully respect that opinion. shouldn’t you also respect others who have a differing view?
@: im not going to bother arguing w/ your belief on hijab and what not..but dont you think we’ll be stronger as a nation if we overlook things THAT dont matter on the grand scheme of things..come on man, how judgemental can you be about these people by just looking at this video? you don’t even know them! ”
– “fun han!!!”
– “KON HAI KAHAN HAI FUN”
– “coca cola ko promote ker rahye hai dance ker ke yeh hai fun lolz ….
– “one thing is forgotten always, this country is “ISLAMIC republic of Pakistan”. sad, very sad indeed. where is our haya now? indeed, we are calling the same calamity that occurred in the form of Earthquake few years back. May Allah show us the right path. Hadees of the prophet “jis mein haya nae, phir wo jo chahe kare”. Allah mujh samet ham sab ko haya ata farmaye. Ameen””
– “u r rite,,actually we r forgetting our values,,and even after doing this type of shameful things we dont contrite and feel proud tht v r broad minded well we r democratic people but dont froget tht being a muslim v r representing Islam.”
– “ye begharti hai is say ziada kuch nai … in jaisay aik aik par zardari jaiasy hukam ran huna chaye. yar pir koi aisa alim jo iin k khalain khench lay… ye larian gay pakistan aur islam k leye ???”
– “iqbal k mulk aur qaid k mulk k phool hain ye??? pehlay ye qoum aik mulk dondati the par aj ye mulk aik qoum dondh raha hai ….”
interesting!
BTW we do need these things in our society. After moving around the world, I have noticed that people of Pakistan are a well off very modern people. We have a lot of personals in our society to carry out and carry on these things.
Oh so this is the new “brave”?