Shyamla Eswaran visited Port Macquarie to celebrate diversity and difference through dance and cultural exchange.
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Her fully immersive show brings the sights, smells and sounds of India to preschool students.
“I have been dancing since I was four and growing up I just wanted to share my culture with others,” Ms Eswaran said.
“Originally my mum thought it would help with my coordination and focus as I was a clumsy and hyperactive child, and it wasn’t long before dance class soon became the one place I felt appreciated among my peers for being myself.
“Growing up in Sydney, in the 1980s, I was bullied for being Indian from Kindergarten.
“And with this tour I hope to share my culture so that others can be more accepting of other people.”
Specialising in Bollywood, Brazilian Samba and Hip Hop and having travelled to, and trained in, the countries where those styles originate from, Ms Eswaran now brings her show to young people across the country.
“After using my Masters in International Human Rights and Law degree for a number of years, I realised one of the best ways to effect social change is through the arts and working with children,” she said.
“At the end of every workshop I encourage each child to look into their own unique background - be it Irish, Scottish, Aboriginal and everything in between – and find out about their own cultural dances.
“My workshops are about teaching children about other cultures through dance and promoting diversity as something to be appreciated and celebrated.
“I get lots of children coming up to me at the end to not only thank me for the fun they've had, but to tell me what their cultural background is and what they know about it.
“The boys especially seem to appreciate having the opportunity to dance and really into it by the end.”