We are honored this evening by the presence of Nighat Chaudhry—Pride of Performance awardee, Kathak exponent, and an artist whose work transcends borders, time, and form. Through her dance, she continues to redefine spirituality, identity, and womanhood.
With a Master’s degree in Dance Education and a diploma in choreography, Nighat Chaudhry has been an active professional Kathak dancer for over four decades. Her interdisciplinary journey encompasses not only performance and choreography but also sustained engagement with women’s rights and the deconstruction of popular religious narratives in Pakistani society.
Through the performing arts, she has consistently sought to reinterpret cultural and ethical life codes, encourage artistic expression, and highlight the richness and diversity of Pakistani arts. In recognition of her exceptional contribution, she was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan.
performance
We are honored this evening by the presence of Nighat Chaudhry—Pride of Performance awardee, Kathak exponent, and an artist whose work transcends borders, time, and form. Through her dance, she continues to redefine spirituality, identity, and womanhood. With a Master’s degree in Dance Education and a diploma in choreography, Nighat Chaudhry has been an active professional Kathak dancer for over four decades. Her interdisciplinary journey encompasses not only performance and choreography but also sustained engagement with women’s rights and the deconstruction of popular religious narratives in Pakistani society. Through the performing arts, she has consistently sought to reinterpret cultural and ethical life codes, encourage artistic expression, and highlight the richness and diversity of Pakistani arts. In recognition of her exceptional contribution, she was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan. Kathak Souls Dance Company Nighat Chaudhry also introduces Kathak Souls—a pioneering dance ensemble founded and nurtured under her vision and guidance. The company dancers embody her artistic philosophy and bold new vision of establishing Pakistan’s first Kathak performing company. The performers you will see on stage today are: Arham Sharif Hashmi Alena Akmal Insha Hashmani Minah Jasir Abro Shanzay Yousuf Since its inception, Kathak Souls has brought its work to major national and international stages, including the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, the Global Encounters Festival in Dubai, and the National College of Arts, Lahore, having begun shaping a new celebratory, innovative, and transformative narrative for Kathak in Pakistan.
