When we first heard Mrs Indu Mitha was having her final performance, we knew this was a rare moment in our history that had to be captured. At the tender age of 90, Indu’s contribution to preserving ancient classical dance despite a backdrop of growing intolerance and conservatism in Pakistan, is a legacy to be celebrated. As two women filmmakers, it was a privilege to go behind the scenes into the unseen world of dance.
In a conservative tight-knit society such as Pakistan, dance is a misunderstood subject, and women expressing themselves publicly is uncommon. Indu’s journey as one of the few classical dance teachers in the country, challenges stereotypes about Pakistani women that abound both within the country and overseas. How She Moves reflects on the universality of storytelling through dance, and how it can be used to unite communities.
We now unfortunately live in a time when women’s views, lives, and bodies are a battleground in the so-called clash of civilizations. In a time when vitriol dominates and divides communities all over the world, How She Moves challenges these narratives by telling a universal story of hope and resilience.
Please note this film is not an ethnographic representation, nor meant to exemplify Mrs Mitha’s classical dance style, her innovative subcontinental music or themes, or the performance of her students.