Teens Raise $8,000 For Sankara Through Bharatanatyam Fundraiser

India-West Staff Reporter

SARATOGA, CA — In a blend of tradition, service, and youthful determination, two high school students recently raised over $8,000 through a classical dance fundraiser to support cataract surgeries for underserved communities in India.

Dhiya Padmanabhan and Anithra Shradha Narayanan, senior students of the Shri Krupa Dance Company here, organized the event under the guidance of their guru, Vishal Ramani. Their full-length Bharatanatyam recital, titled ‘IroLi – Twin Radiance (Bringing Light to People’s Lives),’ was held on June 22 at the McAfee Performing Arts Center. The performance drew a crowd of over 250 attendees and featured a live orchestra with artists from India.

All proceeds from the event were donated to the Sankara Eye Foundation, a nonprofit that provides free eye care services to those in need. With the average cost of a cataract surgery through Sankara at just $30, the funds raised are expected to help restore vision for hundreds of patients.

The cause was personal for both dancers. Inspired by close family members who have struggled with eye conditions like high eye pressure and cataracts, they saw firsthand how transformative access to vision care can be. They were particularly moved by the idea that eyesight — unlike many organs — cannot be replaced or donated, making the gift of restored vision especially meaningful.