Inspiring Youth: Two of Vishal Ramani’s Young Dancers Raise Over $8000 to Benefit the Blind in India

"IroLi – Dwithi Dyuthi”: Twin Radiance-Bharatanatyam dance recital, dedicated to restoring sight for the underserved in India brings joy to the viewers

June 22, 2025, McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga:

Two senior students of Shri Krupa Dance Company — Dhiya Padmanabhan and Anithra Shradha Narayanan — presented a full-length Bharatanatyam Margam titled “IroLi – Dwithi Dyuthi” (Twin Radiance), to benefit the blind in India. The delightful recital moved the audience with its depth of expression and devotional artistry. The larger purpose of community service made the evening more significant.

“This was not just a traditional classical dance recital — it was a fundraiser dedicated to restoring sight for the underserved in India,” said Padmanabhan’s mom, Vidhya Venkitakrishnan. She further added that the girls reached their fundraising goal one day before the event, and stand at $8,094.

Their goal was to try to raise $3,000 each by holding a special dance performance, since both dancers attend the Shri Krupa school in Saratoga. They exceeded this goal. The title “IroLi – Dwithi Dyuthi” translates to “Twin Radiance”, symbolizing both dancers and the dual light they sought to share — literally through vision and metaphorically through service.

“The title could not be more fitting. These two beautiful graduates of Shri Krupa have joined hands not only in dance, but in spirit, to channel their art toward a noble cause. By raising funds for Sankara, they are bringing the gift of vision, the true light of life, to many who are in need. I congratulate them for this extraordinary effort. I believe art is not meant to remain hidden in the shadows. It is a living force — it grows when it is shared, and it shines brightest when used in service. My hope is that every artist finds the courage to step out of their shell and discover how their art can touch lives and make the world a little brighter,’ said Guru Vishal Ramani, artistic Director of Shri Krupa. This inspiring project was envisioned and brought to life by Dhiya and Anithra under the guidance of their teacher, Guru Vishal Ramani. The recital also marked the beginning of her 50th year in the field of teaching and service in the arts — a milestone that added depth and significance to the evening. Her ability to illuminate the minds of her students has, in turn, inspired them to bring light into the lives of others.

The event drew a crowd of over 250 attendees and featured live music performed by artists from India, whose 'soulful and elevating musical accompaniment brought every moment of the recital to life and infused the entire production with energy and depth. Said one of the viewers, ”Watching these two talented young girls perform with such grace and dedication was truly moving. Knowing that their performance was not just about the art form, but also about giving the gift of sight to those in need made it all the more powerful and inspiring. It was a beautiful reminder of how culture and compassion can come together to create real magic.

All proceeds from the event were donated to Sankara Eye Foundation, an organization that provides free cataract surgeries (especially for treatable blindness such as cataracts) to low-income communities in India. Each surgery costs only $30, yet dramatically transforms a person's life. What started as a goal to raise $6,000 turned into something even greater: they surpassed their target and raised over $8,000, enough to fund over 250 sight-restoring surgeries for people in underserved areas in India.

“Learning about a young girl in rural India, who was kept from school to care for her grandmother with curable blindness, was heartbreaking. Realizing that $30 put toward the grandmother’s eye surgery could empower a young girl to pursue an education changed how I view my own privilege and responsibility, inspiring me to use my dance and education as tools for change,” revealed Anithra emotionally.

The chief guest of the evening, Murali Krishnamurthy, founder of Sankara Eye Foundation, attended the event and praised the students' effort and commitment to such a meaningful cause.

Said Dhiya who teamed with Anithra for this memorable performance, “Performing in IroLi Dwiti Dyuthi made me realize that dance can go beyond the stage. Knowing that what we love to do could help restore someone’s vision was eye-opening for me. It showed me that even small efforts can bring light into another person’s life, and it inspired me to think of dance not just as an art form, but as a way to give back and make a difference.”