Meet Svetlana Tulasi | Dance Performer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Svetlana Tulasi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Svetlana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Dance is the most important thing in my life, it is an integral part of my identity. Everything I do is built around dance, be it forming a troupe and performing around the world, choreographing and teaching it to others, or creating a business around dance, such as: an online dance course, dance merch, a TV series about dance, brand collaborations as a dance influencer or something else.

Once I gave up entertaining the idea of being a smart-ass white collar office worker for the rest of my life, I dedicated 100% of my time and energy to building my dance empire, one step at a time. I moved to LA at the end of 2020 amidst the raging pandemic for an acting job that actually had nothing to do with dance, but it’s given me an opportunity to become a part of this vibrant community. Over the past 2 years, it’s been a very humbling and wild journey of re-inventing myself in pursuit of my American dream, but despite of all the hardships I wouldn’t trade it for anything that I left behind in Russia.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m in the art of storytelling that’s called Indian Classical Kathak dance. It is one of the longest existing, yet widely underrepresented art forms in the world. Think of it as an equivalent of ballet in terms of being a classical dance form that required ages of training and discipline, but one that originates from India. An art form that’s been described in ancient scriptures dated over 2000 years back, it has barely been seen performed or taught outside of India, with the exception of maybe the last 1-2 decades. My life’s mission is to make Kathak a household name and take it to places it’s never been before. Like on Mars. Just kidding… or not?

My approach to Kathak is different from the method known as guru-shishya paramapa, or the teacher-student tradition. I don’t try to establish undeniable authority. I allow my students to ask as many questions as they want, ask me to show/repeat the same moves over and over again as many times as it takes to really perfect them, and even (god forbid) make suggestions to adjust some of the choreography depending on how it feels in the body. I’m very open to constructive feedback, and that’s a concept not seen in the traditional method, where everything is about the absolute authority of the guru. That does not mean, however, that I’m my students’ best friend – I’m just trying to be in the art with them, not above them. My method is uniquely mine, and by no means am I disrespecting the traditional method – it’s just not for everyone.

The thing I’m most proud of and excited about right now is that Kathak is about to be represented at the most prestigious live performing arts venue in the world – Broadway, New York. I have been selected as the principal dancer in the show representing Indian Classical Kathak dance together with my dance partner Kumar Sharma, as part of a brand new musical production titled “The Dancers”, expected to premiere in Melbourne, Australia in the summer of 2023, and Broadway, New York in Spring 2024.

Getting to this point in my career wasn’t easy. It took years of training and practice (over 20 years since I took my first Kathak dance class), a truckload of self-doubt and denial to a point of self-sabotage, sacrificed relationships and a successful high-paying career in the corporate world, accepting that I will be ridiculously underpaid for my art as a professional for years upon years before I officially “make it” in the entertainment industry. I’m still working my way up and always will be striving for growth and improvement, the best is yet to come.

The major lesson I’ve learned is this: the best way to overcome the obstacles in your way is to stay true to your own vision no matter what, and have faith that it’s all gonna eventually work out. Call it delusion, religion or insanity – but it works, ask anyone who’s ever achieved anything significant in life, and they’ll probably tell you something similar.

My brand – Svetlana Tulasi – is centered around my core values and beliefs, and the things I care most about. I believe in the power of continuous growth and improvement. In the power of making your vision come true and not stopping until it’s done. I also believe in ahimsa, or non-violence, which is a lifestyle where I do not consume any animal-derived products in my diet, fashion or beauty products. I minimise my contribution to the destructive industries such as animal agriculture, oil and gas, traditional car manufacturing and instead support climate-conscious, vegan, cruelty-free brands and industries that promote fair trade, eco-friendly solutions, using recycled materials, planting trees with each purchase etc. You know what they say, – if you want to change the world, start with yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
1. Vegan Italian food porn, hands down the best restaurant in LA – Pura Vita (8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046) 2. Vegan McDonalds that’s too good to be true – Mr. Charlie’s (612 N La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
3. Vegan Sushi that’s better than the fish – Gokoku (4147 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City, CA 91602)
4. Vegan Thai that’s better than the seafood – Something Vegan (10000 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, CA 91602)
5. Vegan Donuts that are fresher than anything you’ve ever tasted – Donut Friend (543 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
6. Vegan Cinnamon rolls that will leave you food pregnant – Cinnaholics (2134 Sunset Blvd Suite E, Los Angeles, CA 90026)
7. Vegan Ice Cream created right in front of you with -320 F liquid nitrogen – Creamistry (6150 Laurel Canyon Blvd #135, North Hollywood, CA 91606)
8. Vegan Cheese handmade by Youssef – Vromage (7988 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046)
9. Vegan Upscale for a fancy dinner – Crossroads Kitchen (8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046)
10. Santa Monica / Venice Beachwalk – best place for a walk and for roller-blading

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my best friend Emiliya Max, CEO of EM Artists LLC, who’s been my agent over the last 3 years. Without her immense support and effort I wouldn’t have been here in LA, pursuing my American dream.

Website: https://svetlanatulasi.com

Instagram: @svetlanatulasi

Image Credits
@thekeycaptures @thephototatva @zodyakuz @kobektas