Sophomore Tara Srinivasan was one of only 187 applicants selected out of 1,500 to present at SXSW EDU in March. She will host a workshop with Madison Cashion, assistant director of Westlake Hyline, which will educate children and teens on mental health issues. The program will focus on the physical and emotional benefits of movement, coming from Srinivasan’s background in Indian classical dance. Srinivasan’s main priority for the event is to make dance accessible, and emphasize the importance of cultural diversity, well-being and mental health awareness for children and teens.

Her workshop will mix two styles of dance; Western and Indian dance, to show the similarities and differences between them. She even designed a dual costume that allows her to easily switch between different dance styles throughout the presentation. Srinivasan has been practicing Indian classical dance since she was 4 years old and has discovered how movement can bring joy, confidence and resilience to peoples’ lives.

“I started dancing when I was I think four or five, so I’ve been doing it for 10 or 11 years,” Srinivasan said. “Each piece that you do specifically for Indians is different, so you’re never gonna get the same thing, and obviously it takes a lot of practicing and more stuff like that.” 

Srinivasan highlighted the dedication and practice required for Indian dance before explaining another important aspect of the art form.

“You have to learn how to adapt quickly, because you don’t get to practice much with your musicians,” Srinivasan said. “That’s a really cool part of the art–it teaches you how to think on your feet.”

Her passion for dance is more than just skill and performance; she wants to make movement accessible to everyone. Srinivasan sees dance everywhere in society, whether through TikTok trends or listening and dancing to music in the car, and she hopes her workshop will encourage people to dance in a way that feels fun and effortless. 

“If an adult was telling people how to improve mental health through dance, it would be a lot different than me, who has actually gone through the experience and seen the results in my own life,” Srinivasan said. “If you’re good at something, use it to help others feel better. I’ve seen how dance has improved my own mental health and the people around me, whether it’s my peers or the kids I’ve worked with in orphanages.”

Srinivasan says that the SXSW program will be challenging because she only gets to rehearse once with her counterparts and live musicians. Also, one of her previous programs lasted for 45 minutes, meaning she has to constantly be moving, which ends up being a test of stamina, along with making sure she perfects her routine. 

Similar to the emotional benefit, she also emphasizes the scientific impact of motion on mental health. “Moving your body releases endorphins, which eventually turn into dopamine–the happy chemical.” This built-in boost of mood, she believes, is one of the reasons dance has the potential to be such a powerful wellness tool. 

Srinivasan believes that engaging in activities that allow self-expression and release can have a positive impact on mental well-being. Dancing, for example, provides a space to let go and connect with yourself, creating a sense of inner peace and balance.

“Specifically, when you have a tune to dance to and you get to move your body and the way that you want without thinking anybody’s judging you, that really makes you very, just in a more zen place,” Srinivasan said.

Tara has visited orphanages across the world, specifically India to share her passion, in which she has seen a profound transformation mentally for these children. 

“I recently visited an orphanage in India, and it was probably one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had,” Srinivasan said. “I loved to see dance itself improve the moods of the children. The experience really helps me realize how lucky I am to be able to do what I do.” 

Srinivasan is working to transform movement into a method for healing and cultural dialogue. Her workshop shows that art isn’t just entertainment. Srinivasan has witnessed the mental and emotional impact her work brings to young lives and communities.