A dancer since age four, Vidyalakshmi Vinod knew when she came from India to the United States in 2002 that she wanted to bring her passion to the Eastside.

10 years later, that passion, along with her dance school, have only grown.

After beginning with only a few students, the popularity of Nrityalaya School of Dance has exploded with the influx of Indian immigrants in recent years and now has around 60 students, ranging from age seven to adult.

The focus of the school is cultural appreciation for a generation of Indian students with only a fleeting connection to the culture and native land of their parents.

“Everything is about learning and culture,” Vinod said. “Down to the dress we wear and the concepts we take on.”

Aside from an opportunity to take part in a timeless and integral part of Indian culture, Nrityalaya students gain a connection to the Indian community at-large.

The group will perform Saturday, June 9 in the theatre at Lake Washington High School with a show entitled, ““Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha,” which translates to “Righteousness protects those who protect it.”

Local students include:

Archana Srinivasan, Bellevue; Sahiti Malladi, Issaquah; Krithika Shankar, Sammamish; Raji Krishnan, Sammamish; Nikhila Sridhar, Sammamish; Sharanya Sarathy, Bellevue

Junior Dancers: Tanvi Ganapathy, Bellevue; Hamsa Shankar, Sammamish; Harini Shankar, Sammamish; Kavya Selvakumar, Bellevue; Esha Krishnan, Sammamish; Netra Krishnan, Sammamish