Mudras of Hope: Shambhavi Sharma’s Kuchipudi Therapy Transforms Lives of Underprivileged Kids in Delhi
New Delhi : In a vibrant corner of Delhi, 17-year-old Shambhavi Sharma, a Class 12 student at Sanskriti School, brought a ray of hope to 13 underprivileged children yesterday, Sunday, June 8, 2025, through her innovative Nrityamrit initiative. With nine years of rigorous Kuchipudi training under the legendary Padmashri Gurus Raja Radha Reddy, Shambhavi led a session in her local community, teaching the children basic mudras—hand gestures symbolizing balance, grace, and emotional expression. This event, captured in an Instagram reel (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKrOBI9Mwbc/) that has already garnered over 500 views, marks another milestone in her growing mission to foster mental well-being through dance.
Nrityamrit, meaning “the nectar of dance,” is Shambhavi’s brainchild, blending her cultural heritage with a therapeutic approach to support underserved communities. Yesterday’s session engaged girls and boys aged 8-14 from her neighbourhood , many of whom face socio-economic hardships and limited access to recreational or emotional support. “Their shy smiles turned into bursts of laughter as they learned the ‘Samabhanga’ and ‘Tribhanga’ mudras,” Shambhavi said. “It’s a privilege to see dance unlock their confidence and joy.”
The session built on Shambhavi’s extensive experience. Inspired by an impromptu cultural exchange in Australia, where she danced with locals mimicking birds, she has refined Nrityamrit into a powerful tool for emotional healing. She also conducted sessions at the Government Hospitals in Delhi covering army veterans, post-operative care patients, gynaecology patients, and newborn child mothers. These sessions, held twice weekly from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, used seated movements and mudras to reduce stress, with veterans like Mr. Singh (age 65) reporting relief and new mother Mrs. Khan (age 28) feeling more connected to her baby. An 85% positive feedback rate from an informal survey underscored the program’s success, with participants noting improved moods and ward camaraderie.
Yesterday’s community session echoed this impact. Using a portable Bluetooth speaker and her gentle guidance, Shambhavi taught the children mudras like “calm” (a soft wave) and “hope” (a raised hand), encouraging them to mimic her steps. One participant, Garima (age 10), shared, “Dancing makes me forget my worries,” a sentiment echoed by Khushi (age 12), who added, “It feels like a new dress for Diwali.” The session concluded with the children drawing their happy moments—Rani sketched her mom cooking, while Nikita (age 13) drew a firecracker—capturing their emotional growth.
Shambhavi’s academic prowess amplifies her community work. technical expertise informed her internship at Chakr Innovation, where she contributed to a Bio Gas Urea patent reducing agricultural emissions by 10%. “Dance is my passion, but combining it with education and mental health support is my purpose,” she explained, planning to integrate coding into future Nrityamrit sessions to bridge the digital divide.
Her leadership shines through roles like Director General of Sanskriti MUN 2025, where she organized a 300-student conference, and Cultural Council President in 2024, leading a science-art fusion festival that blended Kuchipudi with physics. The session’s success is rooted in Shambhavi’s cultural roots. Her G20 University Connect performance showcased Indian heritage globally, while her Unruly Art initiative for Project Prakash raised ₹2,00,000 for visually impaired children. Nrityamrit, now scaling to underprivileged girls with weekly sessions until July 26, 2025, and a planned valedictory event, reflects her commitment. “These girls deserve a space to thrive,” she said, eyeing partnerships with UNICEF India.
Contact: Follow Nrityamrit on Instagram or reach Shambhavi via Sanskriti School for more details.
