“I Hate It!” Even Before Class Began
During one of my classes, I was about to introduce a mythological story. Before I even began speaking, a student glanced at the picture in the curriculum and said, “I hate it.” The comment was unexpected, and it stopped me for a moment. I simply replied, “But you don’t know about it yet.”
That pause turned into an important discussion about the word hate. We talked about how quickly we sometimes use strong language for things that are unfamiliar.
My favorite moment was when the other kids started adding their own thoughts about how important it is to be open to learning something new, along with “Ms. Ajanta, I think ‘hate’ is a bad word.”, “Ms. Ajanta, my teacher told me to never say hate about someone else.”
I asked the class what “hate” really means and whether it can apply to something we have not yet explored. The students shared examples from their own lives – foods they thought they disliked before trying, books they assumed were boring, or activities they avoided until someone encouraged them to give it a chance.
The moment reinforced a simple truth. Kids mirror what they see around them. If they learn early that it is normal to dismiss something at first glance, they will carry that habit forward. But if they are taught to pause, ask questions, and stay open, they build a mindset that helps them thrive in school and in life.
When a stranger made me feel I belong
“Tell me YOUR story.” is not a thing I often hear at a corporate gig. Sometimes, I am just a vendor who is there to provide an exciting experience. People participate wonderfully and then turn back to their work conversations. But not yesterday.
I had the opportunity to do a Diwali dances and stories workshop at a joint celebration between Capco, Molson Coors, Mars, and more. Not only was it beautifully organized, but every person who participated was so engaged! I was already beaming after the workshop when someone came over to learn more about me. More people joined, and then some more, and suddenly I felt that I fully belonged in that space.
Cultural celebrations in the workplace are not simply about an event or a holiday. They are one of the few moments when people feel invited to connect as humans. When a space encourages curiosity, conversation, and genuine listening, it creates a true sense of belonging.
And while I am usually the one working towards this goal at events, yesterday, a kind stranger did the same for me.
Thank you to the organizers who made that environment intentional and thoughtful. It was clear that this was not just a “Diwali activity” but a meaningful effort to create an event where people can show up as themselves. And that matters far beyond one evening.
2025 Public Diwali Events
Join us this Diwali as we combine Indian Dances and Cultural Stories in an incredibly fun way!
Magic of Diwali: India’s Festival of Lights!
All around Chicagoland and even Michigan!
In this unforgettable Diwali Celebration Workshop, you’ll be swept into a dazzling journey of lights, joy, and culture as we explore one of India’s most magical festivals.
Here’s what awaits:
✨ 5-day Adventure: Travel through the five festive days of Diwali, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, through exciting stories that explain each day’s meaning in the most joyful, inclusive way.
✨ Dance Through the Days: Learn easy, high-energy moves inspired by Indian dance styles, bringing each part of Diwali to life with rhythm!
✨ Perfect for Everyone: Whether you’re a curious explorer or a seasoned Diwali fan, this interactive event is ideal for kids, families, teens, and adults.
Let’s Celebrate Diwali, India’s dazzling festival of lights!
Chicago Kids Diwali Party!
Get tickets to our annual celebration! Diwali Dance, Stories, Snacks, Craft!
Public Free Event Schedules
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Diverse Kids Books Reading List!
Check out this amazing list of 150 Diverse Kids Books by 100 authors!
A Parent & Teacher Resource to Diverse & Inclusive Children’s Books by Indie Authors
Whether you’re building a classroom library, refreshing your home collection, or simply searching for more inclusive stories, this catalog is a goldmine of under-the-radar gems that celebrate culture, identity, and belonging.
You’ll find books that spark empathy, curiosity, and joy across race, culture, ability, and family structures.
It’s also a powerful way to support indie authors who are changing the face of children’s literature, one story at a time.
Click here to download >> Diverse Kids Books Catalog
Thanks to Tom Tracy Books for leading this much-needed initiative!
Speaker: Ajanta @ National Dance Education Organization!
Bringing Stories to the Stage: Speaking at NDEO’s National Conference!
We are thrilled to share some exciting news: Ajanta has been invited to speak at the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)’s National Conference this year in Detroit!
This opportunity is particularly meaningful because Ajanta will be presenting on a subject that lies at the heart of her work – The Power of Storytelling in Cultural Dance Education.
Dance is more than movement—it’s a language. And when we weave in cultural stories, spoken word, and visual arts, something magical happens: learning becomes deeper, empathy grows, and cultures come alive in the most joyful and inclusive ways.
In her session, Ajanta will explore how integrating storytelling into dance can transform the classroom and performance space into rich, interdisciplinary experiences that reflect our diverse world.
Ajanta is honored to join a community of educators and artists who are passionate about expanding what dance education can be. Here’s to advocating for more dynamic, accessible, and heart-centered learning through the arts!
#DanceEducation #StorytellingThroughDance #CulturalEducation #NDEO2025 #ConferenceSpeaker