On the 20th of May 2023, the Indo-Caribbean Society hosted a virtual Book Presentation “Kal – Roots and Fruits” by Namita Ajodhia of Suriname.
Namita Ajodhia has a talent and passion for dancing that became evident from a very early age. As she says, “dance runs through my life like a beautiful ribbon”.
Namita has been taking dance lessons since she was three years old. Over time, she has learnt different dance styles, including classical ballet, folk dance styles from Indonesian dance experts, African, and Amerindian dance teachers in Suriname, as well as contemporary dance, the love for Bharata Natyam was ‘love at first sight. During a performance in 1995, Namita saw the ‘Alarippu’ and she immediately knew that this was the dance style she wanted to do professionally. In 1997 Namita started her Bharata Natyam dance classes from Guru Misses Madhoeri Jagmohan. It was the beginning of a beautiful, long road, with her own Arrange tram (Ada-gate-ram) in 2001 as one of the highlights.
She didn’t stop after her Arrangetram (Ada-gate-ram). In addition to her own dance career, Namita also invests in the transfer of her knowledge and encourages young talent to learn to express their own passion. With her dance school ‘Namita Nritya Vidya Bhavan’ she inspires dancers from three years old to discover the beauty and power of Bharata Natyam.
Namita’s dance philosophy is that Bharata Natyam is the ultimate way to share culture and the arts, as it expresses itself not only in dance but also in spirituality and love. For Namita, dance equals love!
In addition to the many performances that Namita has given locally and internationally with the dance school, both on stage and on television, her own dance productions are her pride.
Namita believes it is important to record the history of Bharata Natyam and has therefore started KAL, Roots & Fruits, a project that has resulted in a three-part documentary with the cooperation of the Culture Directorate of the Ministry of Education, Science & Culture of Suriname and a book by the dance school supported by the Surinamese business community.
In June 2021 the dance school Namita Nritya Vidya Bhavan celebrated its 20th anniversary. On this milestone, the dance school published a book in 2022.
The publication is all about the South Indian classical dance form, Bharata Natyam. Its development in India, its influence on several important persons in the history of dance. The introduction of Bharata Natyam in Suriname by Madhoerie Jagmohan.
Namita, the author, outlines her experiences with Kathak – the dance form.
Ultimately, the crowning glory is the achievements of the dance school – Namita Nritya Vidya Bhavan – during and its 20 years of existence.
The book is divided into four parts and includes two timelines, which work summarizing/clearly.
There is also a ‘family tree’ of Bharata Natyam in Suriname in which everyone who performed their Arangetram from 2001 – 2022 is included.
The four parts:
- The dance, Bharata Natyam.
- The influence of the dance on Namita and the formation process that Namita has went through.
- The dance school Namita Nritya Vidya Bhavan and its added value for parents and students.
- A glance ahead
The virtual event was attended by more than 30 participants on zoom and a total reached of 288 in Facebook. The event was moderated by Indo-Caribbean Society member Dr. Seeta Shah Roath and book presentation was done by Namita Ajodhia in both English and Dutch. As part of the presentation dance presentation by Natha Ganapathi and Chitijaan Kalaiyaan Jun, poem by Ms. Ashra Underberg.