NADI, FIJI, April 19, 2006: A religious organization has established a school of performing arts dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian dance. Following the footsteps of its founder, Kuppuswamy, the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam established a school two years ago to ensure traditional dances like the Bharat Natyam, Garba and Dandiya were not lost to the effects of time and change. The Sangam itself was founded under the leadership of Kuppuswamy in an effort to preserve the cultural identity of South Indians. The Sangam School of Dance, Culture and Performing Arts was established in 2004 under the leadership of cultural dance graduate, Chandrani Pillay, to ensure young women in the Western division did not lose touch with their cultural identity. Ms. Pillay, who attained a degree in dance choreography with a major in Bharat Natyam from Bangalore University in India, began the program after completing the three-year course and returning to Fiji. Ms. Pillay now teaches the various types of dances to more than 80 women from Rakiraki to Sigatoka. She said even though the classes were started to preserve Indian culture, they had been opened to women of all cultures. “Apart from it being the preservation of our culture, this school also hopes to create more awareness about our identity,” Ms. Pillay said. She said being able to teach younger women a tradition that had been around for thousands of years gave her a sense of satisfaction that could never be experienced elsewhere.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike