Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller had a “virtual” meeting and catch up with Kala The Arts. Kala The Arts is a professional dance organization which specializes in South Asian dance form. It was founded by Sushmita Pati an international artist in 1999. The company creates pieces of work for touring to arts venues, outdoor spaces and festivals. The organization is also an Arts in Education charity and runs workshops and classes. Maria met with founder Sushmita Pati and trained Heritage volunteer Jini Cherian.

They discussed a wide range of topics including an education program designed at introducing children and adults to different cultures and promoting integration and community cohesion.

Maria commented; “ It was great to catch up with Sushmita and Jini. Dance has a great ability to break down barriers and introduce the community to different cultures. It is vital that children learn about different cultures at an early age and I was particularly interested to hear about Kala The Arts involvement in schools. Sushmita and Jini have a clear passion for the community and a desire to promote inclusivity.”