Right values at a young age

Renowned dancer Ileana Citaristi was in Hyderabad to conduct a workshop on Odissi dance and perform lecture demonstrations at educational institutions.

Says Ileana “Today, unfortunately, performing arts are no longer a priority in this fast changing world. There is no space for curiosity, creativity or inquisitiveness in the present education system. Most of the parents do not even accompany their child to the dance class, to understand what deep values of heritage and culture are being imbibed.

“Dance class is a casual part of the child’s life and whenever there is an exam or holiday at school, the dance training invariably comes to a standstill. If the curriculum is not completed in time, there are ‘extra classes or revision classes’ in the educational institutions which take away most of the time. It is important to value time and and inculcate right values at a young age. So there is an urgent need to revamp the existing education system, so that dance teachers do not suffer in their search to pass on the legacy to the younger generation.”