Indian Heritage Spreads Its Hues Across International Borders Through Overseas Students of Routes 2 Roots Cultural Education Program

Routes 2 Roots has steadfastly worked to spread Indian cultural heritage across the world through its various initiatives, be it concerts, festivals, exhibitions, exchange programs or the cultural education program. Conducted in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Uttar Pradesh Rajashri Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), the NGO’s cultural education program reaches students across 88 countries across the globe.

Students from these countries join classes of Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Hindustani Classical Vocal, Tabla, Harmonium, Bollywood Dance, Madhubani and Mehndi and learn from dedicated gurus in these live interactive sessions as per a pre-designed curriculum. While some students enrolled are from the Indian diaspora, many belong to foreign nationalities and are equally enthusiastic about learning Indian art forms if not more.

Students from various countries are active participants in various disciplines and have not just learnt the nuances of the different art forms but have also imbibed facets such as costumes, make-up and even expressions when it comes to the music and dance forms.

When it comes to visual arts such as Madhubani painting, students have adapted the style they have been learning from the guru in Routes 2 Roots classes and either used in home decoration or painting contests they have entered locally in their cities and one of them has even adapted it to a religious reference.

Dance students adorn traditional Indian costume as they practice the steps taught in class for a thumri- Inspired ‘Bollywood Song’