Indian Kathak dancer and teacher Avijeet Chakravarty is in Fiji, inspiring local learners with a free cultural workshop that opens new avenues for understanding one of India’s oldest classical dance forms. This exciting six-week program runs from December 8 to January 16, aiming to immerse the community in the beauty of Kathak, centered on rhythm, expression, and the core values embedded in this traditional art.
Chakravarty emphasizes the workshop’s comprehensive approach, which melds performance, education, and cultural insights. He notes, “You learn dance, vocal, and instrumental after that. First, you learn what is the etiquette is and what the manners. How do you give respect to the elders, and also how do you give respect to the younger.”
Participants like year six student Shagun Gupta have found personal growth through Kathak, celebrating a connection to their roots and developing newfound confidence. Gupta shares, “I feel more connected to my culture, and it makes me feel flexible.”
Jashwini Narayan, a senior lecturer, praises the dance for its ability to bring joy and balance, stating, “I can’t really explain the happiness I get from dancing. It’s an activity that makes me the happiest. And for me, it’s also a very good exercise, because the entire body moves.”
Suman Chandra, another participant, views Kathak not just as an art form, but as a path to personal development, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to achieve a lifelong dream. She believes that dance fosters connection among individuals and cultivates essential life skills, asserting, “It makes you a better person, it teaches you time management, it keeps you healthy, it connects you with the people, it connects you with the roots and it also connects you with dance form.”
Registration for this enriching experience is available through ICCR Suva’s Facebook page, ensuring that all sessions remain free for those eager to learn and embrace the rhythm of tradition. With such enthusiastic community engagement, the workshop promises to enhance cultural ties and celebrate the rich Indian heritage that continues to influence Fijian society, spurring a bright future for collaborative cultural expressions.
The positive impact of events like these not only helps nurture artistic talent within Fiji but also reinforces the broader aspiration of promoting intercultural dialogue, echoing the ongoing commitment to artistic innovation seen in related events like the Dance Festival Fiji. These cultural initiatives cultivate a vibrant environment where creativity and tradition coalesce, offering hope and connection through shared experiences in the arts.