A series of classical Kathak dance workshops in Suva is strengthening cultural ties between India and Fiji, with young dancers and community members embracing one of India’s oldest performing art traditions at the Fiji Museum.
The programme, led by renowned Kathak dancer and teacher Avijeet Chakravarty from Varanasi, is being organised by the High Commission of India, Suva and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in collaboration with the Fiji Museum.
High Commissioner Mehta said the Kathak workshops are part of a broader cultural partnership with the Fiji Museum. He noted that several successful activities were held at the venue in December last year, including Kathak performances and a Madhubani painting workshop.
Encouraged by strong participation from children and parents, Mehta said the Indian High Commission has committed to expanding its cultural outreach in 2025. A three-day Warli art workshop is scheduled to begin this week, followed by a poetry recital on Saturday evening to mark World Hindi Day.
He also announced an Indian Film Festival to be held from next Thursday to Saturday at Life Cinema Nakasi, along with a Rangoli workshop planned for next Saturday.
“These initiatives aim to provide meaningful cultural engagement for young people, promote Indian classical arts in Fiji, and further strengthen people-to-people ties between our two nations.”
The initial three-day workshop concluded this week with 21 students receiving certificates, marking another milestone in the expanding cultural collaboration between the two nations. Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta delivered the closing remarks and congratulated participants for their enthusiasm and commitment.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Pundit Chakravarty said the workshops at the Fiji Museum are nearing completion, with a final session scheduled for tomorrow, followed by another three-day workshop next week. He said the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a growing interest in Indian classical arts within Fiji’s multicultural community.
Currently in Fiji under the ICCR and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, Chakravarty said he feels a strong cultural connection while working in the country. He pointed to the widespread use of Fiji Hindi, which he described as closely linked to Bhojpuri spoken in the Varanasi region, helping him connect easily with students and audiences.
Chakravarty, who began learning Kathak at the age of four, has been performing for more than 40 years and brings over two decades of experience teaching international students, including those with no prior background in classical dance. He said dance is not just his profession but his form of worship, adding that through dance he feels a deep connection with God.
With World Hindi Day to be celebrated this Saturday, Chakravarty also highlighted his efforts to promote language and cultural understanding alongside dance, helping students improve their Hindi through conversation and storytelling.
Chakravarty encouraged the public to take advantage of opportunities to learn from visiting artists, saying such exchanges play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage while building understanding across communities.
Conducted under the Indian High Commission’s Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the workshops are open to all age groups and are designed to introduce participants to Kathak, one of India’s classical dance forms rooted in storytelling, rhythm and spiritual expression. Many of those attending are beginners, who are also being introduced to the history, evolution and cultural significance of the dance style.
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