OWNING THE FLOOR

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Every year on April 29, the global arts community celebrates International Dance Day, a moment dedicated to honouring the power of dance

as a universal language, one that transcends borders, religions and social constraints. The day was established by the International Dance Council (CID) to acknowledge creativity, diversity and the cultural importance of movement in human expression. In Pakistan, a society where dance has been historically undervalued, misunderstood or treated with suspicion, this celebration takes on a deeper, almost activist dimension. For many artists here, dance is not just performance; it’s a statement of freedom, identity and resistance against norms that often confine and suppress. In that spirit, You! is featuring four Pakistani female dancers whose work reflects how dance can be transformative…

Fatima Amjed

-The street smart storyteller

If you’ve come across modern dance conversations on Pakistani feeds, you’ve likely seen Fatima Amjed’s name pop up more than once. Fatima is a dancer who treats the city as her stage. Instead of waiting for a theatre or a formal event, she has taken dance to the streets, literally. In old Lahore’s public spaces, she’s filmed herself moving with a kind of narrative urgency, throwing tradition and expectation into the background. Her approach has been described not just as artistic expression, but as a kind of protest against the idea that women belong only in private or ‘acceptable’ spaces.

For Fatima, movement isn’t decoration, it’s defiance. That became clear when she spoke at a TEDxLahoreWomen event about reclaiming public space through dance, pushing against both social conservatism and artistic limitations.

Her work sometimes sparks mixed reactions, including online chatter that ranges from cheers to critiques of her technique. But whether you see her as a street performance pioneer or a social media dance phenom, you can’t ignore that she gets people talking and moving. For a dancer whose art is about reclaiming space, that’s exactly the point.

Jessica Zakria Iqbal

- The classical & Kathak muse

Jessica Zakria Iqbal isn’t just dancing; she’s living the rhythm of Kathak, one of the oldest classical dance forms of the subcontinent. Kathak isn’t just steps and twirls; it’s a tradition of footwork, expression, storytelling and devotion. From what’s visible in her performances, Jessica embodies this blend of rhythm and poetry with palpable grace.

One video, shot at the Shalimar Gardens and Sheesh Mahal, shows her performing with such poise that it feels less like a dance and more like a conversation between body and space.

Jessica is also connected to the dance community as a teacher; she gives Kathak classes and workshops under her guidance. That alone tells you two things: she isn’t just performing for approval, she’s also building capacity in others.

Amna Mawaz Khan

- The classical minimalist with a message

Amna Mawaz Khan carries Kathak into the soul of society.

Her dance journey started at age 11 under the tutelage of Guru Indu Mitha, a name synonymous with classical dance education in Pakistan. Over time, she explored Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Uday Shankar techniques and local folk forms, all while developing her own vision of choreography.

Amna has also served as head choreographer and dance instructor for the National Performing Arts Group at the Pakistan National Council of Arts, a rare seat of influence in a country where institutional support for dance is limited.

What makes Amna special is how she uses dance as commentary. Her work isn’t just technically sound; it’s politically lit. She’s deeply involved in feminist organising, theatre and social advocacy and her art often reflects her commitment to gender, climate and community justice.

She’s performed and taught in Pakistan and internationally, from the UK to China, the United States to Switzerland, making her one of the country’s most globally engaged classical dancers.

Zarmeena Yusuf 

- The choreographer who codes movement

If Fatima dances in the city, Zarmeena Yusuf is one of those who designs the moves behind it. A choreographer by craft and an artist by instinct, Zarmeena’s work blends rhythm, body language and yes, a bit of magic.

Her online presence shows dance reels that range from ceremonial mehendi choreography to modern fusion beats. A quick scroll through her feed reveals a deep engagement with nuanced movement and storytelling through dance, not just repetition of trends.

Often, Zarmeena approaches her craft like a composer approaches a score: she thinks about intention first. She works with dancers, music producers and performers to build narratives, whether it’s a wedding curtain raiser or a conceptual performance short. She has worked on various projects including TVCs, drama shows and music videos.