The Klang-born 24-year-old regularly performs in events across the Klang Valley, especially during the Navratri festival, which honours the goddess Durga and leads up to the Deepavali celebration. This year, however, offered her a new experience, one that went beyond performances.

As a graduate of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi), Pojaa was entrusted with teaching 27 students of various ethnicities at a secondary school in Klang, where she worked as a substitute teacher, to prepare them for a special performance during the Merdeka celebrations in August.

Initially, she was asked to train the students in Indian classical dance. But she felt it would be more meaningful to include elements from various cultural traditions.

Over two weeks, Pojaa – a science teacher for first- and second-year students – taught them traditional dances from Malaysia’s three main ethnic groups. To her delight, her students embraced the challenge without hesitation.

“When they performed on stage, I was on the verge of tears,” Pojaa recalled. “I felt so proud to see my students, from different backgrounds, dancing in three traditional styles.”

The youngest of three siblings, Pojaa views her mission of preserving her cultural heritage not as a burden, but as a passion that complements her academic journey.

She has just begun pursuing her master’s degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia, continuing a path that began at Upsi with a first-class honours degree in social communications.

Looking to the future, she plans to deepen her skills in dance, with the goal of becoming a professional instructor and passing these traditions on to future generations.

“Many young people don’t see the importance of these dances,” Pojaa said. “They often ask, ‘Why should we learn them?’

“The answer is simple – because they are an integral part of our customs and heritage.”