Leena Yarna has carved a niche for herself as a dedicated dancer, teacher, and a passionate devotee of Hindu mythology.

Her journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Hindu culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

Yarna’s journey into the world of dance and theatre began at the age of three because of her mother’s dream of seeing her daughter excel in the art of East Indian dancing. Her father too was a great source of encouragement. Under the tutelage of the versatile late Sunil Mungroo, she honed her skills and developed a deep love for this artform.

The 36-year-old has a first degree in mass communications and an associate degree in PR and journalism from Costaatt, and certificates in human resource and business management from London International College. And although she has a full-time job at the Ministry of Finance, her dedication to the arts is undeniable.

“Dance for me isn’t just an artform. It’s an offering of love with devotion to the feet of my beautiful Lord Mahadev. When one dances for God, the dance becomes transcendent, captivating not only the dancer but also the entire audience.”

[caption id="attachment_1043867" align="alignnone" width="940"] For many years Leena Yarna has been playing the role of Mother Sita in Ramleela – the play depicting the life of Lord Rama on earth. -[/caption]

She told WMN dance laid the foundation for her involvement in theatre, both of which she believes should be imbued with love, emotions, and a higher purpose. “It’s not about the performer alone; it's about offering gratitude to God and making others happy” she said.

But although Yarna was in love with dance, opening the Paramjyoti School of Dance was never in the plan. It happened serendipitously when she began teaching her three nieces a dance routine for a Divali function. Soon other parents started asking if she could tutor their children as well. That was a decade ago. Today, she has two classes with students ranging from three to 40 years old.

Yarna said the enthusiasm and determination of her students inspires her to continue teaching and to see them excel, not only in dance but in all spheres of life. She said she tries to instil the values of their religion and culture by celebrating and observing religious festivals in her class.

For many years Yarna played the role of Mother Sita in Ramleela – the play depicting the life of Lord Rama on earth, as chronicled in the Tulsidas Ramayana. This annual grand production takes months of preparation and sees communities rally together to create props, costumes, and rehearse their roles, with participants often observing a strict fast to honour the event's profound religious significance.

Yarna said her involvement in portraying Mother Sita is a significant and cherished responsibility. She recalls how her cousin, who is part of the Ramleela committee at Satya Drishti in Barrackpore, initially asked if she could play the role of Sita Devi. With dedication and practice, she took on the role.

“Port

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