A Night to Remember: ‘Tahayyur’ celebrates poetry, kathak and classical music in Islamabad

Islamabad, October 25, 2025: The Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Auditorium echoed with poetry, rhythm and classical melody on Saturday night as Tahayyur, a community-led cultural initiative founded by kathak artist Zainab Dar, held its annual event celebrating the subcontinent’s literary and classical traditions. More than 200 people attended the evening, which featured a kathak showcase, a mushaira, and musical tributes to iconic poets across centuries.

This year’s mushaira was themed “Autumn”, bringing together contemporary voices including Sardar Ahmad Ali, Tahreem Sadat, Asim Bakshi, Nayyar Ali Khan and Haris Khaliq. The segment titled “Usman aur Zainab — Ek He Bahaar Mein Likhi Gayi Shayari” drew a literary bridge between eras, connecting the verses of Ghalib and Ahmad Faraz to modern poetic expressions.

In its tradition of spotlighting overlooked literary giants, Tahayyur paid this year’s tribute to Ustad Daman, a revolutionary Punjabi poet absent from most mainstream curricula. His kalam was performed in Raag Pahari by classical vocalist Ahsan Ali, son of a renowned raag family. Another soulful highlight of the night was Ibbad from Gilgit, who rendered “Mohabbat Karnay Walay Kum Na Honge” in a classical style.

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The kathak segment, titled “Kathak Ka Safar”, explored the journey of the dance form across the subcontinent. Lead performer Zainab Dar presented thumri in teen taal, followed by pure kathak tukras, lok namma, and a symbolic choreography representing the five elements of nature — earth, wind, water, fire and space. The dance lineup featured performers Fahad Zulfiqar, Nafiya, Komal Jameel, Qaynat, Ismat Jabeen, Maria, Areeba Shahid, Horia Tariq, Sayra Raza, Huda Amber, Sunal Rizwi and Marrita, with Fareeha and Maleeha also contributing to the segment.

“Tahayyur is not just an event — it is a dream I saw 15 years ago,” said founder Zainab Dar, addressing the audience. “I wanted to revive our old traditions and reclaim freedom of speech through art — through kathak, music, poetry and theatre. I began this journey in my basement with only two students. Today, four years later, we stand on a main stage in the capital, with a family of 16 students. It proves people still crave our classical heritage.”

True to its spirit, Tahayyur donates its proceeds every year to support girls’ education. “We dance for a cause,” Zainab added.

The event concluded with a standing ovation, reaffirming that the city’s audiences still have an appetite for poetry, classical dance and live music — art forms that have long defined the cultural soul of the subcontinent.

What is Tahhayur

Tahhayur is a creative platform that promotes art, literature, and culture by introducing voices and talents that often remain unseen. Through performances, poetry, theatre, and artistic dialogue, Tahhayur aims to reconnect the new generation with the progressive thinkers, writers, and activists who shaped our intellectual and cultural history.

It celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and expression — blending classical forms like Kathak with contemporary ideas. Each event becomes a tribute to icons such as Amrita Pritam, Sahir Ludhianvi, Bhagat Singh, and Rabindranath Tagore, while also nurturing emerging artists and poets.

At its core, Tahhayur — meaning wonder — is a journey of rediscovering thought, beauty, and resistance through art.