Every incredible journey begins with a small step, and for Dr. Ambika Kameshwar, founder of RASA (Ramana Sunritya Aalaya), that step was taken when she was just five years old. Starting her musical journey at such a tender age and learning dance by six, little did she know that these early experiences would shape her life and the lives of hundreds of children with special needs.
“Even as a young girl, I believed that dance and music were far more than just structured art forms,” she recalls with a warm smile. “There was this little voice inside me telling me there was so much more to these arts than what was visible to the world.” This inner calling would later reveal itself in the most beautiful way possible – through her work with children who needed her the most.
The turning point came in 1982 when Mr. Srinivasan from Sri Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind in Bangalore approached her father, requesting her help to plan their annual day programme and teach dance and music to visually impaired children. What started as a simple request became the foundation of a life-changing methodology that would transform thousands of lives.
A Revelation That Changed Everything
Working with visually impaired children was both challenging and enlightening. “Music being an audio art was not difficult to teach, but dance was different,” she explains. “Unable to teach through sight and imitation, I would demonstrate each mudra, and the students would feel my hands and copy perfectly. They would measure my steps and repeat without mistakes!”
But something magical happened during this process. The children didn’t just learn to dance and sing—their personalities completely transformed. They started recognising themselves as individuals with talent and creativity. Their confidence improved, they began communicating more openly, and their entire outlook on life changed.
“This is what my inner voice told me all along—to apply my art to empowering individuals to recognise their full potential,” she remembers. This revelation filled her with immense joy and set her on a path that would define her life’s purpose.
Building RASA: A Home for All Abilities
After her marriage and move to Chennai, Dr. Ambika continued her mission. She started teaching at various special schools, working with children with different needs—hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and learning difficulties. Each child became her teacher, helping her understand how to adapt her methods to suit individual needs.
“My children were my teachers. I learned from every feedback they gave me,” she says fondly. She realised she needed to structure her dance and music sessions for their special needs and abilities. This led her to interact with doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and special educators, constantly learning and researching.
Through years of dedication and study, including her M.Phil, Ph.d., and Post-Doctoral Fellowship research, the Theatre Arts for Holistic Development (TAHD) programme was born. In 1989, she founded RASA, and today, with a dedicated team, they reach out to around 375 individuals with special needs every year.
The RASA Approach: Where Magic Happens
What makes RASA special is its unique approach to inclusion. Instead of focusing on limitations, they build on each child’s strengths through movement, voice, rhythm, or role play. “At RASA, we work with the belief that every individual is inherently creative and capable of learning when approached correctly,” explains Dr. Ambika.
The methodology adapts classical art forms into accessible, participatory experiences. Children with disabilities need various stimulating inputs to reach their optimum level of functioning, and TAHD provides an ideal answer. It’s non-threatening and fun—while a child moves and sways to rhythm and melody, their movement skills are enhanced. Their language and communication skills improve as they learn sounds and dialogues for different characters.
Children develop fine motor control and self-help skills when they make colourful costumes, headgear, and masks. They also improve their social skills and adaptive behaviour by role-playing as fathers, brothers, teachers, and friends. The beauty of this approach is that children learn through joy without the hierarchical situation of ‘teacher’ and ‘taught.’
Stories of Transformation
The walls of RASA echo with countless success stories. The non-verbal child initially sat quietly in a corner, gradually began participating in rhythmic clapping, then simple dance steps, and eventually delivered dialogues on stage. Another student, once socially withdrawn, found joy and self-confidence through enacting mythological characters and later became a mentor to other children.
Parents have witnessed remarkable changes in their children. Babu, Varun’s father, shares: “The artistic experiences at RASA helped Varun grow and mature. He developed self-esteem and social skills. He manages all his grooming tasks without supervision and is confident enough to stay alone at home.”
Dr. Rama, whose son Ananth attends RASA, explains: “It’s difficult for neurodivergent individuals to understand values as they are subtle by nature. Ananth has learned sharing, gratitude, acceptance, and compassion through his story and drama sessions at RASA.”
These transformations go beyond skill development – they reflect self-esteem, communication, and emotional balance growth, proving that the arts can truly be transformative.
The Philosophy Behind the Magic
RASA’s work is rooted in three core principles that guide every activity and interaction. First is the belief in inherent potential – every person can learn, express, and excel, regardless of their abilities or challenges. This fundamental belief shapes how every child is approached and nurtured at RASA.
The second principle focuses on holistic engagement – development must integrate body, mind, and spirit. The theatre arts naturally provide this integration, allowing children to grow in multiple dimensions simultaneously. Physical movement, emotional expression, intellectual engagement, and spiritual connection happen through dance, drama, and music.
The third guiding principle is joyful learning – when learning is pleasurable, retention and growth naturally follow. This is the most visible aspect of RASA’s work. Children don’t just attend sessions; they eagerly look forward to them, knowing they’ll experience joy, acceptance, and growth.
The arts become a universal language that bypasses barriers of ability, language, and background, creating a space where everyone can communicate, express, and connect.
Theatre Arts for Holistic Development (TAHD)
Originally called Creative Movement Education when Dr. Ambika started her work in 1989, the methodology was later renamed Theatre Arts for Holistic Development after her extensive research and Ph.D studies. TAHD uses the grammar of Indian classical arts, especially Bharatanatyam, integrated into learning, therapy, and personal growth activities.
The programme focuses on structured movement, rhythm, expression, and storytelling, allowing flexibility and creativity. Its adaptability makes it remarkable – it works effectively in mainstream classrooms, special education settings, and even corporate training environments.
As Dr. Ambika explains, theatre is miniature real life. “The experiences one goes through in life are replicated on stage. But the reverse is also true—theatre is life enlarged.” Every day, we all play different roles—spouse, friend, child, parent, sibling, teacher, student. As we learn to play each role perfectly, we learn to live life completely as contributing members of society.
This natural connection between theatre and life makes theatre arts the most natural process for learning about life and learning to love living it.
Training the Heart and Mind
RASA doesn’t just work with children; it also trains teachers and staff to deliver these methodologies effectively. The organisation offers intensive TAHD training, combined with child psychology workshops, special education techniques, and theatre-based therapy.
Teachers apply their learning through observation, assistance, and eventually leading sessions under mentorship. The emphasis is on developing empathy, observation skills, adaptability, and the ability to create joy in learning. Regular reflection sessions help staff refine their skills and share experiences.
Several short-term and long-term training modules are offered, ensuring that educators can learn and implement the TAHD methodology across different settings. This approach helps expand RASA’s reach and impact beyond its walls.
A Heart That Gives: The Free Service Model
One of RASA’s most admirable aspects is that it offers services free of cost to most students. This commitment stems from the belief that financial constraints should never prevent a child from accessing transformative arts education.
The organisation sustains itself through donations, sponsorships, project-based grants, and income from training programs and performances. “The biggest challenge is ensuring consistent funding, as our commitment is never to turn away a child for financial reasons,” Dr. Ambika explains.
Balancing artistic quality, educational impact, and financial sustainability requires constant effort and tremendous community support. Yet, this model ensures that RASA’s doors remain open to all children, regardless of their families’ economic situation.
Milestones That Matter
Dr. Ambika’s response is deeply moving when asked about landmark events in RASA’s history: “Every single happening at RASA is a miracle – a moment worth cherishing. When a child who once could not move his arms now performs beautifully on stage, it is a milestone.”
However, certain moments stand out in RASA’s 35-year journey. Their first Annual Day in 1990, featuring differently abled and neurotypical individuals performing together, remains fresh in memory. The integrated cultural festivals that began as “The Language of Dance—The Language of Natya” became proud traditions.
Witnessing students with Down syndrome perform their arangetram – a monumental achievement for any dancer – has been profoundly moving. Establishing their Day Centre in 1996 created a vibrant hub for their work, while livelihood programmes like Curtain Call and Anbudan offered dignity through work.
The launch of TAHD courses in 1994, later recognised by universities and developed into diploma and degree programmes, formalised their methodology and helped it reach broader audiences.
Families and Communities: Partners in Transformation
RASA believes that transformation happens best when families and communities are involved. Regular parent workshops help families understand and support their children’s growth journey. Community performances allow society to witness the incredible abilities of children with special needs.
Parents often become advocates for arts-based inclusion after witnessing their children’s transformation. Local communities get involved through festivals, training programs, and volunteer opportunities, creating a strong support network around the students.
One mother, Radha, shares about her daughter Janani: “With each performance opportunity she gets, I see her performing at one level better than before, which has positively impacted her everyday life. Her communication skills have developed, and her intellectual cognitive capacity has improved tremendously.”
These family testimonials highlight how RASA’s impact extends beyond individual children to their families and communities.
Society’s Role in Arts-Based Inclusion
Dr. Ambika believes society has a crucial role to play in supporting the arts as a tool for inclusion and empowerment. “Society must first recognise the arts as a serious and effective medium for education and empowerment, not just as an extracurricular activity,” she emphasises.
Policymakers, educators, and funders should integrate the arts into mainstream and special education curricula. More platforms for inclusive performances must be created, and organisations working in this space require more substantial support.
When society encourages respect for diversity in artistic expression, it naturally leads to greater inclusion. This shift in perspective can transform how we view and support people with different abilities.
The arts can break down barriers and create understanding between different communities. Society can build a more accepting and empowering environment for all by supporting arts-based inclusion initiatives.
Dreams for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, RASA’s vision is expansive yet grounded in its core mission. It plans to spread TAHD and its inclusive theatre model to more beneficiaries across India and abroad. Expanding teacher training programs will help spread its methodology.
Creating digital learning resources will make their approach accessible to remote areas and communities. Building stronger collaborations with arts, education, and disability networks will amplify their impact.
“The ultimate goal is for every individual—regardless of ability—to experience the joy, dignity, and empowerment that the arts bring,” Dr. Ambika states with conviction.
This vision reflects organisational growth and a fundamental belief in the transformative power of the arts and the potential that lies within every human being.
The Continuing Magic
As RASA continues its beautiful journey, one thing remains constant—the magic that happens when the arts meet hearts, when creativity meets compassion, and when society learns to see ability in every individual.
Dr. Ambika’s story reminds us that sometimes the most profound changes begin with a small voice inside us, guiding us toward our true purpose. Her journey from a young girl learning dance and music to a pioneer in inclusive arts education shows how personal passion can create extraordinary transformation when aligned with social need.
RASA stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with the right approach, every child can discover their potential, every family can find joy in their journey, and every community can learn to celebrate diversity.
The theatre of life continues, and at RASA, every individual gets to play their part with dignity, creativity, and boundless possibility.
Also Read: Dr. Ruby Makhija: From Healing Eyes to Healing Earth
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