Touch Base Kathak

A Unique Inclusive Dance Programme

Touch Base Kathak® is an original and innovative approach to Kathak dance developed by Sudakshina, Founder and Artistic Director of the Tarang Art & Wellbeing Association of Scotland (TAWAS).

Inspired by the beauty of traditional Kathak while embracing inclusive practice, Touch Base Kathak® combines classical Indian dance techniques with creative movement, tactile learning, rhythm, storytelling, and expressive hand gestures (hasta mudras). The programme is carefully adapted to ensure that people of all abilities can experience the joy of dance, creativity, and self-expression.

What Is Touch Base Kathak®?

Touch Base Kathak® uses touch, rhythm, movement, music, and sensory learning to make Kathak accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities and additional support needs.

For participants with visual impairments, gentle and appropriate touch is used to help them understand movement. By placing a hand on the instructor's shoulder or arm (with consent), participants can safely feel body movement, rhythm, posture, and direction, enabling them to experience the dance through touch as well as sound.

For wheelchair users, the programme focuses on expressive upper-body movement, rhythm, facial expression, storytelling, and the beautiful hand gestures (hasta mudras) that are central to Kathak. These movements are adapted to each participant's individual abilities, allowing them to express stories, emotions, and creativity through dance.

Participants with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities often respond exceptionally well to rhythm, repetition, and guided movement. Touch Base Kathak® builds on these strengths by adapting movements to suit each individual's learning style, encouraging confidence, enjoyment, and meaningful participation.

Every session is personalised so that each participant can learn at their own pace in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.

Who Is It For?

Touch Base Kathak® is designed for people with a wide range of additional support needs, including:

• People with visual impairments or blindness

• Wheelchair users, including those with complex physical disabilities

• People with Down syndrome

• Individuals with learning disabilities

• People with autism

• Individuals with sensory impairments

• Adults and children with additional support needs

• Anyone who would benefit from an inclusive and creative approach to dance

No previous dance experience is required.

Benefits

Touch Base Kathak® offers many physical, emotional, social, and creative benefits.

Participants can:

• Improve physical mobility and coordination within their own abilities.

• Develop balance, posture, rhythm, and body awareness.

• Increase confidence and self-esteem.

• Strengthen communication and self-expression.

• Experience creativity through storytelling and movement.

• Build friendships and reduce social isolation.

• Improve concentration, memory, and listening skills.

• Enjoy a fun and engaging form of physical activity.

• Celebrate their own abilities rather than focusing on limitations.

At TAWAS, we believe that access to arts and culture is a fundamental human right, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy, dignity, and wellbeing that creative participation can bring.

Our Experience

Touch Base Kathak® Across Scotland

For more than seven years, Sudakshina and the TAWAS team have been delivering Touch Base Kathak® across Scotland, bringing inclusive dance, creativity, and wellbeing to people with a wide range of disabilities and additional support needs.

Working in partnership with charities, schools, care homes, community organisations, and disability support services, Touch Base Kathak® has enabled hundreds of participants to experience the joy of Indian classical dance in an accessible, engaging, and empowering way.

Long-Term Partnerships

Our programme has been delivered through regular weekly sessions and workshops with organisations including:

• Sense Scotland – Weekly inclusive dance sessions for over 7 years.

• Neighbourhood Networks – Long-term community wellbeing and inclusive arts programmes.

• Capability Scotland – Junction 52 – Weekly Touch Base Kathak® sessions for over 7 years.

• Down's Syndrome Scotland (Glasgow Branch) – Weekly dance and wellbeing sessions for more than 4 years.

• Elderlie Care Home – Creative movement and wellbeing activities for older adults.

• Corseford School, Johnstone – Inclusive Kathak workshops for pupils with additional support needs.

• Down's Syndrome Scotland (Dumfries Branch) – Special workshops and community engagement sessions.

• Workshops and performances delivered at many other schools, community organisations, disability support groups, care settings, and cultural venues throughout Scotland.

Our Impact

Through Touch Base Kathak®, participants have experienced:

• Increased confidence and self-esteem.

• Greater opportunities for creative expression.

• Improved physical movement and coordination within their own abilities.

• Enhanced communication through movement, rhythm, storytelling, and expressive hand gestures.

• Stronger social connections and reduced isolation.

• A deeper appreciation of Indian classical arts within an inclusive environment.

Every session is carefully adapted to meet the individual needs of participants, ensuring that everyone—regardless of ability—can take part, express themselves, and experience the joy of dance.

At TAWAS, we believe that everyone has the right to participate in the arts. Our long-standing partnerships across Scotland reflect our commitment to making high-quality, inclusive arts experiences accessible to all communities.

Success Stories

Touch Base Kathak® has been delivered in partnership with schools, charities, and community organisations across Scotland.

Participants have shown increased confidence, greater engagement, improved communication, enhanced creativity, and a genuine sense of achievement through taking part in the programme.

Families, teachers, and support staff have consistently praised the positive impact of the sessions on participants' wellbeing, confidence, and social interaction.

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