Down Syndrome Dancers from Singapore Captivate at the World Culture Festival

By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi: On the 31st day of the World Culture Festival 2025, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Singapore's Maya Dance Company, featuring dancers with Down syndrome, stole the show with their powerful and moving performances. This day marked a highlight of the 39-day festival, which included a film screening, dance and theatre workshops, two theatre plays, Dance Night 3.0, and a grand musical concert.

The day began with a theatre workshop conducted by Lebanese theatre artist Sani Abdul Baqi, who provided acting training to the young students of the Arts Council Theatre Academy. The film segment showcased the Pakistani movie “Nayab,” and during the discussion, renowned actor Fawad Khan expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I thoroughly enjoyed working on this film. After moving to television in 2011, I also realized the importance of TV acting.”

A captivating dance performance by Malian artist Lassina Kone mesmerized the audience, accompanied by traditional drums. President of the Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, praised Lassina Kone, stating, “You are a remarkable artist. We loved your performance and hope to have you back at the Arts Council again.”

Two theatre plays, “Saalgirah” and “Creditors,” were staged that day. Directed by Farhan Alam, “Saalgirah” explored the unraveling relationship between a married couple, Sameer and Sonali, with Imran Farman and Komal Veerji delivering powerful performances. The acclaimed Indian playwright Javed’s “Creditors,” directed by Azaib Khan, delved into themes of manipulation, power, emotional turmoil, identity, and memory, revealing complex layers of trust and distorted truths.

During Dance Night 3.0, international artists electrified the stage with their performances. The children from Singapore's Maya Dance Theatre Company captured the audience's hearts with their extraordinary dance and theatre presentations, showcasing the challenges they face in life with grace and creativity. Norway’s Navid Rezvani paid tribute to the courageous women of Iran through a compelling hip-hop performance. Additionally, Pakistan's Jacket dance group added brilliance to the evening with their dynamic performance.

The day concluded with The Mystic Caravan, a musical concert that enchanted the audience. The lineup featured celebrated singer Wahab Bugti, Sindh’s renowned folk artist Mai Dhai, vocalist Ahsan Bari, and singer Fazal Jatt, all of whom captivated the audience with their soulful voices.