The Nritya School of Dance was established in Houston in 1982 by its Founder-Director Padmini Chari for teaching Bharatha Natyam and Indian Folk Dance in the greater Houston area. Nritya specializes in the Kalakshetra style. The instruction is carried out in three locations ; Northwest Houston, Beechnut and Sugar Land. Nritya New Orleans has been in operation for the past 15 years in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Over 40 students have had their Arangetram since the inception of the school. Padmini Chari is the disciple of Padma Shri Adayar Lakshman and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayan, both of Chennai, India.