Depth
19 instruction hours create room to pursue an idea beyond first understanding and into embodied knowledge.
Fall 2026
Tat Tvam Asi
Dancer’s Retreat
Three days to deepen the dance within.
October 23–25, 2026 · Long Island, NY
An intimate immersion for dancers who seek more than momentary inspiration: sustained practice, exacting guidance and the rare continuity in which technique can deepen into artistry.
19instruction hours
~20intimate cohort
3immersive days
An invitation to sustained practice
Study withRama Vaidyanathan.
A three-day immersion in technique, abhinaya and choreographic thought—held within an artistic community for dancers ready to offer their practice undivided attention.
- When
- October 23–25, 2026
- Where
- Long Island, New York
- Hosted by
- Tat Tvam Asi, in collaboration with Vivarta Arts
The artist at the heart of the retreat
A classical inheritance, made vividly present.
Rama Vaidyanathan stands among Bharatanatyam’s most distinguished dancer-choreographers. Her mastery of rhythm and sculptural line is inseparable from the emotional intelligence of her abhinaya. Rooted in tradition yet animated by inquiry, she discovers new choreographic possibilities without loosening the form’s classical integrity.
Her dancing is celebrated not simply for its technical brilliance, but for the worlds it summons. Gesture becomes thought; rhythm acquires architecture; a glance can gather an entire human story. For the serious performer, time in her presence offers a rare encounter with precision, imagination and rasa held as one.
2017Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Bharatanatyam
ICCRPlaced in its “outstanding” artist category
GlobalPerformed and represented India internationally
“One of the most riveting pieces of creativity one has seen lately.”
“Through her movements and her face alone, she embodied each of the ten stages of life… The act broke all cultural and language barriers.”
“Rama’s charming abhinaya, her energetic and youthful choreography were beautiful beyond words.”
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is among India’s highest national recognitions for sustained excellence and contribution in the performing arts.
What the immersion makes possible
Three days in which practice can truly gather depth.
Continuity changes the quality of attention. Ideas are not merely introduced; they are tested, revisited and allowed to take root within a serious artistic community.
Continuity
Corrections can be absorbed, revisited and refined while the body still remembers the question.
Company
A carefully held cohort of serious performers raises the quality of attention in the room—and the work each dancer can undertake.
Inside the retreat
Nineteen hours devoted to the intelligence of performance.
Technique & performance
Nritta and abhinaya, explorations in sanchari bhava, dancer showcases and direct feedback—bringing clarity to both form and intention.
Choreography & interpretation
Enter a master composition by Rama Vaidyanathan, then examine how intention, subtlety and choreographic choice give movement its inner life.
Artistic community
Meet two guest speakers for thoughtful conversations on presenting work and sustaining artistic community, followed by a shared Navratri celebration.
The retreat’s signature opportunity
Learn it with her. Perform it for her. Carry it toward a 2027 stage.
This is the promise at the heart of the retreat: the rare opportunity to work closely with Rama Vaidyanathan on a special choreography project—learning the work from within, absorbing its artistic intention and allowing her direct guidance to transform how you inhabit it.
Create with Rama Vaidyanathan
Move beyond learning steps. Enter the architecture of the work through focused rehearsal, interpretation and Rama Vaidyanathan’s detailed artistic feedback.
Perform for her
At the close of the retreat, step forward and perform the work before Rama Vaidyanathan—bringing three days of study into a complete, shared presentation.
Carry it forward to 2027
The choreography will not end when the weekend does. The work created through this process will continue beyond the retreat and be showcased at a festival in 2027.
You are not simply learning repertory. You are entering a choreographic process, receiving the artist’s guidance and becoming part of a work with a life beyond the retreat.
I want to create and perform this work
Included with both Residential and Non-residential retreat registration. Reserve your place by October 15 with a 1/3 deposit or the full fee.
The artistic life beyond the studio
Two guest voices. Two ways of enlarging an artistic life.
Dance does not end at the edge of the stage. It continues through the words that preserve it, the structures that sustain it and the communities that allow it to flourish.
Guest session I
Anita Vallabh, Ph.D.
Bharatanatyam artist · Dance scholar · Author · Founder, Global Indian Artist
Expanding the Creative Canvas:
From Dancing to Writing
Every artistic journey carries a responsibility to create, reflect, document and preserve. Dr. Vallabh will consider writing as an extension of artistic practice—one that allows dancers to articulate process, enter critical dialogue and leave an archive beyond the stage. Essays, reviews, interviews, journals and books can transform lived experience into knowledge that serves both public conversation and future generations.
Across nearly four decades in India and the United States, her work has encompassed performance, teaching, research, writing and arts leadership. She is the author of Abhinaya Darpanam: An Illustrated Translation (2008), now in its third edition, and the forthcoming You Are Your Desires.
Guest session II
Preya Patel
Kathak artist · Executive & Artistic Director, Vivarta Arts
The Business of Being an Artist
What does it mean to build a life around Indian classical dance beyond the single path of performance? Drawing from her experience as an artist and educator in the United States, Preya Patel will speak candidly about struggle, unexpected challenge, incremental victory and the milestones that shape an individual path. The conversation opens onto teaching, choreography, arts administration, curation, production, design and community engagement.
A New York City–based Kathak dancer, Preya trained under Guru Smt. Jamuna Mitcham and continues her study with Guru Smt. Vaishali Trivedi. Her work extends from performance in the United States, Canada and India to curation for IAAC’s Erasing Borders Festival, arts-grant service with Flushing Town Hall and cultural education through Global Steps in New York City and Long Island public schools.
A choreography across time
Ratna-Garbha
The Pregnant Earth
Harappa tablet H-180
H-180 is the large image at left; the accompanying impressions appear here for comparison. This small, two-sided terracotta tablet was excavated at Harappa and is held by the National Museum of India. Made during the Mature Harappan period, broadly dated to 2600–1900 BCE, it carries an image whose meaning still resists certainty: an inverted female figure between two facing tigers, with an enigmatic form meeting—or perhaps emerging from—her body. The reverse bears a narrative scene and signs from the still-undeciphered Indus script.
Archaeologist John Marshall saw in it a striking representation of the Earth Goddess with a plant growing from her womb.
His reading transformed the tablet into an arresting meditation on fertility, vegetation and creation. Yet archaeology asks us to hold wonder beside uncertainty: later scholars have also read the mysterious form as a scorpion, crab, turtle or gharial. The object endures precisely because it does not surrender a single meaning.
Image source: Internet
Where archaeology becomes embodied memory
Rama Vaidyanathan’s Ratna-Garbha
From this ancient and unresolved image, Rama Vaidyanathan creates a living field of inquiry. Ratna-Garbha draws upon the interpretation of a woman bearing vegetal life to contemplate Earth not as scenery, but as source: fertile, sustaining and sacred.
Set to Sanskrit verses from the Rig Veda, the choreography brings history, archaeology and spirituality into conversation through the disciplined intelligence of Bharatanatyam. Gesture becomes thought; rhythm becomes invocation; the dancer’s body becomes the place where an artifact, a sacred text and a contemporary imagination may meet.
Working with Rama Vaidyanathan, dancers will move beyond reproducing form. They will examine how movement carries meaning, how inherited vocabulary can hold fresh inquiry, and how precise technique can open into rasa—the felt, shared essence of experience. The encounter is at once rigorous and contemplative: an invitation to dance with scholarship, sensitivity and inner attention.
“Her respect for tradition and her sharp, innovative eye” gave the program its power—a fitting description of the imagination through which an ancient image enters the living language of Bharatanatyam.
Sonya Wynne Singh, reviewing Rama Vaidyanathan’s 2026 Paris program featuring Ratnagarbha
Choreography
Rama VaidyanathanMusic composition
Sudha Raghuraman
Rama VaidyanathanMusic composition
Sudha Raghuraman
A one-day standalone workshop
Embodied Expression
Open to all levels, all disciplines and expressive artists across dance, theatre, acting, movement and more.
DateSunday, October 25
Time10am–noon
Tuition$150
LocationLong Island, NY
A focused study in how inner experience becomes legible through movement.
Explore the art of effective communication through dance. This interactive workshop focuses on expressive movement, abhinaya, and choreographic skills, helping artists discover the power of intention, subtlety, and the principle of “less is more.” Through practical exercises and creative exploration, participants will learn to communicate with clarity, create emotionally compelling work, and build a deeper connection with their audience.
Come as you are. No particular dance form or performance background is required; the workshop welcomes beginners, experienced practitioners and curious artists from every expressive discipline.
Part of the full retreat. This workshop is included in both Residential and Non-residential registration; no separate booking is required.
Reserve the workshop only · $150
The exact Long Island studio address will be sent to confirmed participants.
Choose your retreat experience
The same artistic immersion, held in two ways.
Both options include the complete program and all 19 instruction hours. Your only decision is whether to remain within the residential rhythm of the retreat or return to your own space each evening.
Recommended for most serious performers
Residential
$950
The fullest expression of the retreat: fewer logistics, fewer interruptions and more space to absorb the work between sessions.
- Full retreat program with 19 instruction hours
- On-site lodging for a smoother, more immersive experience
$950 total
Reserve your place by October 15 with either a $316.67 deposit or the $950 full fee.
Non-residential
$650
For dancers who want the complete training experience while returning to their own space each evening.
- Full retreat program with 19 instruction hours
- Lodging not included
$650 total
Reserve your place by October 15 with either a $216.67 deposit or the $650 full fee.
Choose Residential if…
- You want deep focus without the interruption of a daily commute
- You train best when you can remain within the retreat’s rhythm from morning to evening
- You want the weekend to feel like artistic renewal, not simply an extended class
Choose Non-residential if…
- You’re local, or strongly prefer your own lodging
- You can preserve your energy and attention without residential structure
- You want the same instruction, with evenings off-site
Check fit
Clarity before commitment.
This retreat is for dancers who welcome precise feedback, sustained attention and meaningful artistic work within a concentrated span of time.
You’re a strong fit if
- You have enough Bharatanatyam training to participate comfortably in sustained technique, choreography and abhinaya sessions
- You’re actively training and welcome specific corrections and refinement
- You can commit to the full schedule: 10am–8pm, 10am–8pm and 10am–1pm
- You value an attentive room and a carefully held cohort
This may not be the right fit if
- You want a casual drop-in workshop
- You can’t attend the full weekend
- You want broad inspiration rather than detailed feedback
You do not need to be a professional dancer. If you are unsure about your level, describe your training background in the registration form so fit can be confirmed before you proceed.
From the Tat Tvam Asi archive
A retreat tradition, held in memory and renewed through practice.
Across the years, Tat Tvam Asi retreats have created spaces for dancers to study closely, listen deeply and gather in artistic community. These images preserve a few moments from that continuing tradition.
Inside Rama Vaidyanathan’s teaching
Watch the coaching moment
A Tat Tvam Asi masterclass moment reveals her attention to the finer textures of abhinaya and the distinct inner life of each character.
Reserve your place by October 15Pay 1/3 or the full fee
Reserve the experience that will hold your practice best.
Residential · pay $316.67 or $950 Non-residential · pay $216.67 or $650 Check fit firstChoose either the 1/3 deposit or full payment in the registration form. You’ll receive confirmation and next steps within 24 hours.
Before you reserve
Every practical detail, made clear.
Residential stay
Residential includes on-site accommodation at the venue. Room arrangements, check-in, checkout and the exact address are shared with confirmed participants.
Lunch & evening dining
Lunch is provided on the two full retreat days. Travel and local transportation are not included. Dinner is not included with the Non-residential option. Residential participants will receive a thoughtfully selected guide to nearby dining rather than a fixed dinner plan, leaving each evening open for dancers to choose what suits them and gather in smaller groups beyond retreat hours.
Sunday timing
The standalone abhinaya workshop runs 10am–noon. The full retreat schedule continues until 1pm; final-hour details will be included in the retreat prep packet.
Questions, answered plainly
Everything you need to decide with confidence.
Do I need to be a professional dancer?
No. Professional status is not required. You should, however, have enough Bharatanatyam training to participate comfortably in sustained technique, choreography and abhinaya sessions. If you are uncertain, describe your training background in the registration form so your fit can be confirmed.
Do both options include the same instruction?
Yes. Both include the complete curriculum and all 19 instruction hours. The only difference is accommodation.
What does the residential price include?
The complete retreat, on-site accommodation and lunch on the two full retreat days. Travel and local transportation are not included. Instead of prescribing one fixed dinner, we will share a thoughtfully selected list of dining options with Residential participants. This leaves evenings open for dancers to choose what suits them and spend relaxed time together in smaller groups outside retreat hours. Room arrangements, check-in, checkout and the exact address will be shared with confirmed participants. For an accommodation question that affects your decision, email tattvamasi2015@gmail.com before paying.
What will be served for lunch?
Lunch is provided on October 23 and 24. We plan to serve fresh, light vegetarian fare chosen to support a full day of movement and focus. The vegetarian menu is simply the shared retreat offering—dancers of every dietary preference are welcome, and you are equally welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks if that suits you better. If you follow a strict diet or have food allergies, email tattvamasi2015@gmail.com before the retreat. We will do our best to accommodate your needs, though we may not be able to guarantee every request.
Can I pay in full or use a payment plan?
Yes. To reserve your place by October 15, pay either the full fee or 1/3 of the total: $316.67 Residential or $216.67 Non-residential. If you choose the deposit, the remaining balance may be split into installments. Minor rounding may be applied to the final installment so your total remains exactly $950 or $650.
When will I receive the exact address?
The Long Island venue details will be sent to confirmed dancers. JFK and LaGuardia are the closest major airports.
What is the daily schedule?
Oct 23: 10am–8pm, including provided lunch and a break.
Oct 24: 10am–8pm, including provided lunch and a break.
Oct 25: 10am–1pm.
How many instruction hours are included?
The retreat includes 19 instruction hours. Breaks are excluded.
How large is the cohort?
The retreat is planned for approximately 20 dancers—intimate enough to protect the quality of feedback and the attentiveness of the room.
Can I attend only the Sunday abhinaya workshop?
Yes. Embodied Expression is open as a standalone workshop for dancers of all disciplines on Sunday, October 25 from 10am–noon. Tuition is $150. It is already included for all Residential and Non-residential retreat participants. The standalone workshop ends at noon; the full retreat program continues until 1pm.
What should I bring?
A complete packing and preparation list will be included with confirmed-participant logistics.
What should I know about travel?
The retreat is in Long Island, New York. Confirmed dancers will receive the exact address and travel notes; JFK and LaGuardia are the closest major airports.
October 23–25 · Long Island
You are not simply enrolling in classes.
You are making room for the dancer you are becoming.
Reserve Residential · deposit or full fee
About 20 seats · Reserve your place by October 15 with a 1/3 deposit or the full fee