Sireesha Betha, a long-term volunteer with the society, explains: “We want to unite the community beyond WhatsApp groups. We want people to be truly involved.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents became increasingly concerned about their children’s rising screen time and began to show more interest in the sessions. Now, Sanskriti Halifax has over 200 members, and host ticketed events which sell out well in advance.
The group organises a variety of family-friendly events, engaging both parents and children in activities such as yoga, prayers, meditation and celebrations of festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chathurthi (Hindu festival), and Telugu Ugadhi (Regional New Year).
During the events, both adults and children perform traditional & classical dances, Bollywood routines, songs, and play musical instruments – showcasing the wide range of talents. Sanskriti Halifax also provide a platform to facilitate Bollywood dance & drama workshops, arts & crafts sessions, plus many more engaging activities.
“We want the place we live to be a happy and happening one.” Says Praveen, The chair of Sanskriti Halifax.
However, the organisation’s primary focus is on children. Sanskriti Halifax aims to teach the importance of Indian traditions and encourage individuals to embrace cultural differences. A key goal of this initiative is to help children build their confidence, develop social skills and ultimately, become good human beings.
To achieve this, the organisation created KIDSKOOL, a programme designed to keep children active and engaged for at least a few hours a week. Activities include arts and crafts, public speaking (both prepared and impromptu), and games that help develop coordination and concentration.
Yoga is another important part of the programme. Sireesha explains that children are curious about why yoga works the way it does. Instead of expecting them to sit quietly and meditate, sessions are designed to be interactive, incorporating movements of the ears, eyes, and mouth to maintain engagement while exploring the relationship between movement and emotion.
Many of the group’s sessions are fun and sociable, but they also encourage self-reflection. One activity asks children, “What do you find beautiful?” While some answer cars or toys, the discussion often leads to deeper conversations about inner beauty.
“We want children to be good citizens,” says Sireesha. “We want to teach them to be honest and true to themselves.” This concept is called Satya – one of the Yamas, or ethical principles, of Yoga philosophy.
Like many volunteers, Sireesha finds fulfilment in the work itself. She emphasises that everything they have achieved is due to the dedication of their volunteers who are passionate about helping both the children and the community.
“The people who volunteer are committed and dedicated friends who support us, we become family.”
One of her proudest moments was the society’s first-ever Christmas event, where the Mayor of Calderdale, Ann Kingstone, and her consort were the guests of honour. The event was a huge success, with fantastic performances and happy children, and when Santa appeared, some of the children were filled with immense joy.
Despite its successes, Sanskriti Halifax does face a few challenges. Sireesha said, “One common misconception is that we get paid for what we do – but that’s not the case.”
“All of us have always worked as volunteers, investing our time and effort purely out of passion. In return, all we hope for is a happy community, happy Calderdale and for the children to spend their time in meaningful, productive ways.”
A major obstacle for Sanskriti Halifax faces is that there is no Hindu prayer hall in Calderdale. A dedicated space would provide a place for community members to practise their faith and hold spiritual gatherings, helping to preserve cultural traditions and a sense of belonging.
Currently, Sireesha and other community members host prayers at home for 10-12 people, but space is limited, and inviting strangers into a private home is not always appropriate.
If you have a space available that could be used as an interfaith prayer hall, whether a building, hall, or room, please get in touch at: sanskritihalifax@gmail.com
To learn more about Sanskriti Halifax, visit: https://www.facebook.com/sanskritihalifax1/
