Indian Dance Academy In Broken Arrow Sees Growing Interest

During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, News On 6 is highlighting a Broken Arrow business that focuses on dance styles from India.

The academy has been around for 20 years, and the owner said there has been growing interest in her business thanks to pop culture.

Kripalaya Dance Academy has students ranging from four years old to adults.

The business owner and director said her goal is to preserve and promote Indian culture through dance.

Priya Raju started teaching a few students in her Broken Arrow home in 2002.

Now, she has an academy with dozens of dancers, learning different styles from Indian classical dance that is thousands of years old to Bollywood.

“When I see a student master a step or they perform and they’re so shy, and then they perform and they feel so confident, that moment, it just makes everything worth it for me,” said Raju.

Ananya Sundaram said the experience improved her life.

“It has helped me become more outspoken and confident and just happy with myself in general,” said Sundaram.

Athletes like Ishan Khurana said it has helped improve their game.

“The balance, that really helps,” said Khurana. “Keeps you planted on the ground and steady on the ground. Really helps with my taekwondo and everything.”

Dr. Gayathri Nandikolla said she uses dance to help her de-stress after working with patients all day.

She and her daughter enjoy learning from their dance director.

"She has a lot of patience,” said Dr. Nandikolla. “I always joke with her, saying she can make even a stone dance."

The academy has won numerous awards throughout the years.

Raju said she is grateful for all the groups that have invited her students to perform, including the Harlem Globetrotters, Tulsa Performing Arts and Gathering Place.

“I feel very proud that after 20 years, I worked so hard to get that name out and now people have a very different type of respect, a unique respect for Indian art, rather than thinking of it as a novelty item,” said Raju.

The academy's next performance will be during a Tulsa Drillers baseball game in August.

The dance academy said it is always accepting students. For more information, visit: https://kripalaya.com/.