“Dancing for a Cause,” a fundraiser supporting the MEDLIFE NoVA High School Chapter, was held on June 7, 2025, at The Michael & Son Sportsplex in Dulles, Virginia. The event was hosted by the Natya Margam School of Dance and showcased the intersection of classical art and community service.

The MEDLIFE NoVA High School Chapter, led by President Aniketh Pondugula, a sophomore at Rock Ridge High School, aims to foster leadership and civic engagement among students.

Under Aniketh’s guidance, the chapter has spearheaded several impactful initiatives, including volunteering at JK Farm, preparing meals at DC Central Kitchen, organizing American Red Cross blood drives, and hosting local outreach programs. The group’s mission is centered on creating sustainable change for individuals affected by poverty.

The event was brought to life by Natya Margam, under the visionary leadership of Guru Indrani Davaluri, who continues to inspire the DMV community through a commitment to Art, Service, and Science. More than 25 student dancers performed throughout the evening, including students trained by Lakshmi Babu and Vidya Shankarnarayanan.

Their performances celebrated the depth and beauty of classical Indian dance. A heartfelt vocal performance by Shashanka and his mother, Sridevi, added an emotional and spiritual dimension to the evening’s program.

The evening drew an esteemed audience that included Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan; former Indian Ambassador to Cambodia and Chile, Pradeep Kumar Kapur; entrepreneur Rajesh Gooti; Sri Mannava Subbarao Garu, State Secretary of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP); and Srilekha Palle, Chair of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) delivered a special virtual message underscoring the work of Naya Margam under the leadership of Davaluri. 

Ambassador Kapur commended Davaluri, calling her “like an Ambassador of India,” and applauded her efforts in spreading “ancient knowledge and ancient techniques of dancing to the world.” He noted that the roots of Bharatanatyam are embedded in the Vedas and emphasized the value of bringing these traditions to future generations.

Senator Srinivasan echoed the praise for Davaluri and the student performers. “I’m very passionate about healthcare, and about our culture and traditions,” he said, recalling his own efforts to integrate cultural elements into public service, including inviting Krishnamachar Archakam, a Vedic Temple priest to deliver an invocation at the Virginia House of Delegates. 

“It’s an extraordinary form of art,” he noted recalling his visit to India six years ago to attend a Bharatanatyam performance of his wife’s niece. “It’s such an amazing thing that you’re doing for our community to not only continue our tradition and heritage but also ensuring that kids are learning about the importance of such forms.”

Gooti recognized the effort that goes into organizing such events and lauded the contributions of organizations like India Development Relief Fund and the impact of previous fundraisers.

“Their presence and encouragement underscored the importance of combining cultural celebration with meaningful youth empowerment,” Davaluri told South Asian Herald.

A highlight of the evening was a keynote address and special Bharatanatyam performance by NASA scientist and space engineer, Kavya K. Manyapu, Ph.D., whose inspiring talk connected the worlds of art and aerospace. Davaluri said, “Dr. Kavya Manyapu bridged the worlds of art and aerospace, showing how limitless possibility begins with belief and discipline.”

Titled “Culture to Cosmos – Fueling Your Passion with STEAM: The Power of Courage and Curiosity,” Manyapu’s keynote traced her personal journey, how a fascination with space at the age of three evolved into a career developing next-generation spacecraft and spacesuits for NASA’s Moon missions.

“I walked the students through the challenges of space exploration, what it takes to send humans to space and the Moon—from planning spacewalks and missions to training astronauts and executing those missions,” Manyapu told South Asian Herald. “Through this, I shared key life lessons on how dreams can be turned into reality by following my guiding principles: the 5 Cs—Courage, Clarity, Commitment, Consistency, and Compassion, and fueled by the 3 Is—Intention, Intensity, and Involvement.”

She also emphasized the importance of a “well-rounded personality through integration” of the arts and sports, and how her Indian cultural roots shaped her discipline and ambition.

Highlighting her initiative “Project Shakthi,” which empowers and educates underprivileged girls, she stressed the value of community service and giving back.

Manyapu concluded with practical advice for aspiring scientists and engineers, encouraging students to pursue their goals with leadership, communication, teamwork, and mentorship. “I encouraged them to believe in their dreams, take that first step, and begin exploring their infinite potential,” she added.

The event aligned closely with Natya Margam’s broader mission to empower the next generation through the arts and service, according to Davaluri. This vision is also reflected in Natya Margam Productions’ award-winning film Andhela Ravamidhi, starring Davaluri, which continues to earn acclaim for its portrayal of womanhood, resilience, and cultural preservation.

“The film represents yet another way Natyamargam uses storytelling to spark impact and preserve heritage,” said Davaluri. “With every performance, project, and partnership, Natya Margam remains committed to creating platforms where tradition meets transformation—and where youth are empowered to lead with purpose.”

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