Renowned Indian Kathak (Indian classical dance) teacher and performer Pandit Avijeet Chakravarty hopes to teach at least 500 Fijians during his stay in the country, using classical dance to nurture cultural pride, discipline, and confidence among young people.
On his first visit to Fiji, Mr Chakravarty said he quickly felt a deep sense of familiarity after hearing locals speak Hindi like the Bhojpuri dialect of his hometown, Varanasi.
“For the first two or three days everything felt different, but once I heard people speaking Hindi here, I felt like I was back home,” Mr Chakravarty said.
“Now I don’t even feel like I am outside India. The people are very cooperative and welcoming.”
Mr Chakravarty is in Fiji on an 18-month contract with the High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
His current three-day Kathak workshop, held in collaboration with the Fiji Museum, was initiated under the vision of Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Shri Sunil Mehta.
A Master of Music in Kathak Dance from Banaras Hindu University, Mr Chakravarty has performed in more than 40 countries and previously served on an international cultural mission in South Korea through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Ministry of External Affairs.
While he currently teaches mainly Indo-Fijians, he is eager to reach iTaukei communities.
“I hope to teach more than 500 students during my time here, Kathak is not just dance – it builds rhythm, focus, discipline and respect for culture.”
He believes early exposure to classical arts benefits children deeply.
“Children are more delicate than flowers, that is why I keep my teaching friendly. Art helps them grow with confidence and cultural awareness.”
