By YASEMIN TALAT
WERRIBEE’S Rachana Natyalaya School of Indian Classical, Folk and Bollywood Dance launched its first annual dance concert on the weekend.
Over 40 students showcased their talent in Indian classical dances including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Folk Dances and Bollywood Fusion dance items.
Artistic Director, Archana Koorthy, said the concert was an exhibition of colourful costumes and culture.
Ms Koorthy said many of her students were from different cultural backgrounds and through dance they learnt about each other’s cultures.
“We do have children with various backgrounds and they exchange their cultures through dance and they share their knowledge,” Ms Koorthy said.
She said they achieved this by intertwining other cultural dances with popular Bollywood style dances, creating fusion dance numbers.
“Dance has no language and it is only communicating through gestures and expressions and this is adopted by any community group from different backgrounds,” Ms Koorthy said.
“This is education through dance, and the children gain confidence on the stage and they become a stronger person,” she said.
Ms Koorthy said not only was it a good place to spread multiculturalism but it was also an important place for Indian children to come and learn about their own culture and history through dance.
“Indians and non-Indians are able to learn these dances very quickly, all you need is a little bit of movement in your body and a lot of interest,” Ms Koorthy said.
Ms Koorthy said the costumes and dressing up was also a pivotal element of the dance culture.
“It’s about the beauty dressing up and how to dress up yourself and it makes more beautiful and elegant,” she said.
Wyndham Mayor Heather Marcus was the honourable guest on the weekend and presented the students with awards.
For information visit www.rachananatyalaya.com
