Women from Griffith's South Indian and Sri Lankan communities are dazzling audiences with their passion for dance and culture.
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Rhythm dance group recently delighted patrons at the Griffith Regional Theatre's launch party Emerge, and this group of dedicated women are now beginning to cement their reputation for creating inspiring cultural dance experiences.
The seven mothers, doctors, nurses and other professionals some how find time between school runs and work schedules to squeeze in their dance rehearsals and each of them say, it is a wonderful experience to be together.
"Any person who has a passion like we do for dance, it is a dream come true after so many years of living here," Gayathri Kosaka, group member said.
"All the girls are positive and we give each other a lot of encouragement. We are all really busy with kids and work and everything but we love to see each other," Anushka Galapitage said, who is one of two group members originally from Sri Lanka.
"Dance is one thing I missed after I came to Griffith in 2012 and then having my kids. From 2012 to 2019 I never danced and so then when I started again I was really happy, it was an amazing feeling," Jismi Jacob group choreographer said.
Maintaining a connection with their cultural background is important to the group even though they say it is a constant challenge. However, dancing for them is a way to reconnect to their culture and share it with the broader community.
"For me it's very important to maintain a connection to where I come from. I love my country and I miss my family. I don't think it's something that my kids feel because they grew up here," Mrs Jacob who has two daughters said.
"It is hard being in a social network where everyone speaks the same language and has the same social norms, but here we have to create our own.
"After the performance for Emerge we had a lot of people come and tell us they really enjoyed it. It was so nice for us to see them enjoy our culture."
Next on the program for Rhythm will be a special performance at Pioneer Park Museum for International Women's Day March 8 which will mark a year for the group performing publicly for the community.
"We want to thank everyone in the community because we have received a lot of congratulations and interest," Mrs Galapitage said.
"Most of us have been living and working in the community for eight to ten years and no one knew us, now people are starting to recognise us."
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Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
