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TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, October 26, 2024 (Trinidad Express by Kimberly Wallace): It is undeniable that globalization has had a huge impact on the way people live around the world. But while advancements continue to be made, they should not come at the expense of culture, says cultural advocate and dance instructor at the Paramjyoti School of Dance Leena Yarna. Indian culture is part of the architecture of Yarna’s life, which explains why she is so protective of it. It is easy to associate Indian culture solely with clothing, food and music, but it involves so much more. Due to its long history and different traditions and customs, Indian culture is very rich but it also teaches moral values such as honesty, discipline and ethics which are vital for anyone entering the workforce, says Yarna. Culture, along with religion can also improve the mental health of our society, she adds.

“Indian culture has always taught ahimsa (non-violence) and dharma (righteousness) which I believe are the most important words to remember and abide by in today’s world. Indian culture emphasizes that everyone is equal and should be shown kindness because we are all sparks of divinity, humility is the essence of divinity,” she says. For most of her life, Yarna has earned a reputation for upholding her culture – singing bhajans in the temple, actively participating in community programs, assisting in coordinating events and devoting much of her time to perfecting the art of Indian classical dance Teaching her students to have a love and appreciation for their culture rather than being ashamed of it is important in order not to completely lose children to westernization, says Yarna. “It is my job to adapt to this ever-changing world, inculcate new aspects into my dance style while maintaining the traditional aspects. It also requires me to have regular, in-depth conversations with the girls, explaining aspects of our culture which they may not understand fully or were never taught,” she says.

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https://trinidadexpress.com/features/leena-yarna—upholding-indian-culture/article_03f69b38-93e9-11ef-94af-8b23e2afb6c8.html

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