At the age of five, Shobna Chanel started learning Kathak, a North Indian classical dance.

Today, the talent behind the Shobna Chanel Dance Group in Fiji has become a renowned dance group which has promoted and preserved ‘Kathak’ dance in its traditional form.

And after all these years of promoting culture through dance in various ethnic communities, Ms Chanel was recognised on Saturday by the Fiji Hindu Society for promoting Indian culture.

For Ms Chanel dance is her passion which has used to promote peace and harmony through fusion.

“It is a recognition award and I think it is also a motivation for others. I feel honoured and humbled but more importantly the fact that it will serve as a motivation and encouragement for others means a lot for me,” Ms Chanel said.

Ms Chanel has also developed a unique dance form blending the two major ethnic groups through dance and music.

This dance blends Indian dance movements with iTaukei music.

She believes that no culture should restrict a person from embracing and respecting others.

“I introduced the unique fusion of Indian and iTaukei dance in Fiji around the 1990’s,” she said.

The costumes are also designed depicting the two ethnic groups – using Indian designs with overtones using traditional iTaukei artifacts like, tapa, magimagi and masi.

This dance has become extremely popular with all racial groups not only in Fiji, but internationally.

“In Fiji the Indian culture is very rich and active despite the long journey from India many years ago.

“Fijians of Indian descent have been able to maintain the culture despite the challenges of the changing world.”

The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Vishvas Sapkal in congratulating, Ms Chanel labeled her as a prominent teacher who contributed a lot to the culture through dance.