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Enriching heritage through song and dance

For the past 20 years, the India Canada Association has provided an opportunity for young people to learn about their rich cultural heritage and showcase the songs and dances they learn together through an annual youth festival.
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Younger members of the India Canada Association showcased their cultural dance and dresses at the 2012 Youth Festival. Photo by Heather Campbell.
For the past 20 years, the India Canada Association has provided an opportunity for young people to learn about their rich cultural heritage and showcase the songs and dances they learn together through an annual youth festival.

The local Association played host to that festival this past weekend with cultural dances and cuisine at the United Steelworkers Hall.

Ananya Beruar, 16, who has been involved for the past eight years, is a member of the senior council that recruits and organizes the younger children to participate.

“This is a tradition in the community and (it is) important to teach the younger children about our culture,” she said.

Children range in age from four to 18. It is a team effort between parents and children in which they spend several months learning and practising the songs and dances. The festival showcases the colourful traditional dress for both boys and girls of all ages, popular Bollywood music and ethnic food.

Preeti Saran, Consulate General of India, travelled from Toronto to attend the event. She pointed out that much like Canada, India is a diverse country.

“India is an ancient civilization with every religion known to man,” she said. “We speak 25 languages and 1,000 dialects. It is important to keep our diversity alive.”

The India Canada Association has been in existence in the Sudbury community since 1967 and a co-founder of the Sudbury Multicultural Arts Association. It holds a variety of cultural events for the entire community throughout the year.

The Association is also presenting a Jalatarang - Water Waves concert, on April 22 at the Caruso Club. Jalatarang is unique Indian music consisting of china bowls filled with water and struck by wooden sticks.

Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight. For more information, contact Niranjan Mishra at 705-522-3909.

Posted by Arron Pickard

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