1. Title of the Project:

“Revival of Performing Art in Baltistan (Little Tibet)”

2. Name of the Performing Art:

Classical & Sword Dances & Music

3. Geographic location of the Community:

Pakistan, Kashmir State, Baltistan

4. Introduction of the Performing Art

Since the 12th Century, there have been clashes and fighting between the rulers of different valleys. This power struggle gave rose to the art of sword-fighting and related music. In 14th Century, when hundreds of Sufis, Dervishes and artisans came to Baltisan from Iran and Central Asia, a new era began. The Iranian Sufis and Dervishes used Iranian mystic music for their rituals and religious ceremonies, and the locals were highly fascinated. So they adopted their traditions and mixed them with their indigenous traditions.

In the 15th Century, as the Maqpon dynasty rose to their prime, they strongly patronised and supported the Balti culture, especially the sword dances and music as well as the Polo game. It was not only the greatest source of entertainment and amusement, but could satisfy their lust for war and conquest. During the prime of the Maqpon rulers, new dances and music were created and composed, which had deep roots in their history and religions i.e. Buddhism and Islam.

In every town and village, at each important event such as festivals or marriages, as the classical or sword dances are basically related to martial requirements, women did not take swords in their hands, but warmly participated in the gathering to support and encourage their men as well as for their own entertainment. For centuries, till the fall of the local ruling dynasties, this art was believed to be the “kingly art” or “royal art”.

Generally, the music played for each dance is different and peculiar. Most of the music consists of several tunes of songs from the Tibetan epic of Kesar (the son of God), played one by one in a sequence to give certain messages or indicate the situation. The dances start in very slow motion and with the change of each tune, the action and speed of the dancers changes and quickens. Each dance manifests a very special historical or social event of the past. And one can imagine how the events might have happened.

5. Problems the community faced before the launch of the project, and the factors which caused the decline of and threatened the performing art

The art of dance and music had vanished and performances had been abandoned totally. The Muslim clergy was bluntly against these arts, negating such performances and pressing hard for the performers to give up their art and adopt Islamic ways. Traditional dancers and professional musicians had given up their centurie-old art under the pressure of the clergy. As the performers and professional musicians got very little economic benefit from their performances, they adopted other means of trade and professions which provided them with a better living. Some of them went to big cities for employment. The old and senior citizens and performers as well as the elite appreciating this art perished one by one; and the young generation had very little knowledge of their heritage, or its historical and cultural significance, and were attached to modern music and other traditions of life. There was no patronising body or person who could encourage this art and it was left to perish.

6. Details of the project for solving problems of the performing art, especially who and how it started, finance, and involvement of younger generation

The main objectives of the project are as follows:

• To revitalise and preserve the maximum amount of indigenous cultural heritage of Baltistan, including the performing arts
• To provide the local community with a historical and cultural knowledge and awareness
• To attract the young generation to take interest in preservation of local heritage and to learn and practise these performing arts, especially the classical dances.
• To raise the self-pride of the local community as the custodians of a very beautiful and dynamic heritage.
• To provide some employment to the performers.
• To attract tourism to the area and help in alleviating poverty.

Due to the changes in society, the young people seemed to be reluctant to take much interest and participate in this performing art at the beginning, but very soon they understood and some of them joined in the revitalisation by providing help to the project team. Moreover, many young people joined the dances and the procession. This is a clear indication that if these performing arts are being properly patronised and regularly performed, they will certainly fully participated, learn the art from their seniors and carry it onto the next generation.