Punyah Abhyasa Shaala Residential Retreats
Step into our modern Gurukula at Chikhale. A full-immersion residential retreat for deep practice, community, and creating new work in the quiet of nature.
The monsoon season at our Chikhale residential space. This video captures the blend of dance practice, the natural beauty of the surroundings, and the creation of new work.
A refreshing dip in the Kalyani at our Punyah Abhyasa Shaala in Chikhale. It is a space where we connect with tradition and nature as part of our artistic process.
The team has arrived. A group photo marking the beginning of our first summer camp and rehearsal period at the Punyah Abhyasa Shaala in Chikhale.
The inner voices during a tough conditioning session at Chikhale. This is a humorous look at the physical hard work and mental strength that goes into our training.
Rehearsals in progress at our Chikhale retreat. The unique architecture and serene environment provide an inspiring backdrop for our dancers to refine their craft.
A quiet moment of preparation at our school. A dancer ties his ghungroo, a ritual that signifies the transition into the world of rhythm and performance.
Calling up the next generation of artists. Here, I am inviting two of our upcoming dancers, Vibha and Akshara, to come up and present their work at our Chikhale space.
About this collection
This isn't a vacation. At Chikhale, we live the dance. Expect 6+ hours of daily practice, ranging from conditioning and Adavus to in-depth Natya Shastra theory. We keep the phone signals low and the focus high, staying in shared dorms with simple home-cooked meals so you can fully commit to your art for a few days.
At Punyah Abhyasa Shaala, we strip away the urban chaos to create a space where only your practice matters. It is a modern Gurukula setup that brings together the rigour of traditional learning with the realities of being a contemporary dancer.
Our retreats are designed for those who want to move beyond the occasional class. We spend 3 to 4 days focusing on a full-immersion schedule. You’ll be doing Yoga, physical conditioning, and intense Adavus, followed by evening theory sessions on stagecraft and Natya Shastra. We also make time for nature walks to reset.
This is communal living. You’ll share dormitory-style accommodation with fellow dancers, which is where the real bonding happens. We provide all meals—healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food. No distractions, just dance, theory, and conversation. Whether you’re coming for an intensive bootcamp or a deep-dive residency, come ready to work. It’s sweaty, it’s tough, and it’s the kind of progress you can’t get in a weekly 90-minute session.
Parshwanath Upadhye
I built the Abhyasa Shaala because I know the difference between just learning steps and truly living the dance. Come down to Chikhale, leave the city behind, and let’s get back to the basics—hard work, discipline, and a little bit of fun on the side.
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