Pronounced NAH-tee-yah (/ˈnɑːti.jə/), Natya springs from ancient Sanskrit meaning “dance” or “dramatic performance.” It carries the rhythmic heartbeat of India’s classical stage and the wisdom of the Natya Shastra. In the US, it’s a hidden gem—ranked in the 900s with fewer than ten little Natyas each year. Yet its warmth feels grand. Parents imagine a daughter who twirls through life with confidence and creativity. She might even bust into a Bollywood dance before she can walk! Natya dances on the tongue and in the heart, a lyrical gift promising grace and joy.