Today we’d like to introduce you to Samyukta.
Hi Samyukta, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey with dance began at the age of three, when movement first became my language of expression. Rooted in classical Indian dance, I grew up immersed in its discipline, storytelling, and grace. As a first-generation immigrant in the United States, dance became more than an art form. It was a way for me to stay connected to my culture, shaping my identity and giving me a sense of belonging across two worlds.
My journey, however, was not without challenge. Following a traumatic hip dislocation from an accident, I faced a period that tested both my physical strength and emotional resilience. Dance, once effortless, suddenly felt uncertain. Through patience, determination, and an unwavering love for the art form, I fought my way back—relearning, rebuilding, and rediscovering both my body and my confidence.
That experience transformed my relationship with dance. It is no longer just about performance, but about resilience, healing, and self-belief.
Today, through Lasya Arts and Dance, I strive to create a space where tradition meets modern expression and others can discover not just the beauty of dance, but the strength, confidence, and joy it can bring. My journey is a reminder that dance is not about perfection, but about perseverance, passion, and the courage to rise again.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While dance has always been a constant in my life, the journey has come with its share of challenges—both personal and cultural. Growing up in the United States as a first-generation immigrant, I found that while Bollywood dance was widely embraced and easily accessible within the diaspora, classical Indian dance often felt like a path fewer chose. Its rigor, structure, and the years of disciplined training it demands can be intimidating, especially in environments where quick, performance-ready styles are more celebrated.
Classical dance is not something you casually pick up—it is a commitment. It requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to embrace repetition, nuance, and tradition. For many, that level of dedication can feel overwhelming, and I’ve seen how it can sometimes dissuade members of the diaspora from pursuing it deeply.
On a more personal level, my journey was further challenged by a traumatic hip dislocation from an accident. There was a time when I wasn’t sure if I would be able to return to dance in the way I once knew. Rebuilding strength, relearning movement, and regaining confidence was a slow and often frustrating process. But it was also one of the most defining periods of my life.
Through these experiences, I’ve come to understand that dance is not just about performance but about resilience, identity, and commitment. The challenges didn’t take me away from dance; they deepened my connection to it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My journey has never been conventional but it has always been a balanced between science and art, structure and expression.
I began my career as a physician with a background in public health, trained to think critically, act decisively, and serve in moments that matter most. But during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself at an inflection point. As the world shifted, so did my sense of where I could make an impact. I made the unconventional decision to transition into cybersecurity, stepping into a completely new field focused on protecting systems, anticipating threats, and building resilience in a digital world.
At the same time, dance remained my constant.
Having trained in classical Indian dance since the age of three, it has always grounded me, especially as a first-generation immigrant navigating identity and belonging in the United States. Dance taught me discipline, patience, and the value of long-term commitment—qualities that became essential as I rebuilt myself professionally in cybersecurity. Where my work demands precision, logic, and rapid decision-making, dance offers expression, reflection, and emotional depth.
Both journeys have required resilience. From recovering after a traumatic hip dislocation to starting over in a new career, I have learned how to adapt, persist, and grow through uncertainty. And in many ways, these paths are not separate. Dance has shaped how I show up in my work: grounded, focused, and intentional. My work, in turn, has strengthened my sense of purpose and discipline within my art.
Today, whether I am building secure systems or creating through movement, the underlying mission is the same- to protect, to express, and to create impact. My journey is a reflection of embracing multiple identities fully, and finding strength in the spaces where they intersect.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can reach out via my website or directly contact me via the school’s email lasyaarts.dance@gmail.com or phone number to collaborate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dancelasya.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancelasya?igsh=MW9scDBsdjJzcjduNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
