Teaching
Odissi Dance Classes in Mumbai
Train in Odissi with a Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and direct disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Classes for all ages and levels, at two Mumbai locations.
Shubhada Varadkar has taught Odissi in Mumbai for over three decades. Classes are taught by Shubhada Varadkar and Mitali Varadkar. The Sanskrita Foundation (opens in a new tab), the charitable trust she founded in 2006 and has long been associated with, gives free classical-dance training to underprivileged children and supports cancer patients through Tata Memorial Hospital’s Poor Patients’ Fund.
Beginners start with the foundations — the chowk and tribhanga stances, footwork, and hand gesture — before moving into repertoire. Advanced students work toward stage performance and, where appropriate, Doordarshan grading.
What you will learn
Foundations
Posture and the two defining stances, basic footwork (chari), hand gestures (hasta mudras), and rhythmic cycles. No prior dance experience is needed.
Repertoire
Traditional Odissi items — Mangalacharan, Batu, Pallavi, Abhinaya and Moksha — alongside the expressive storytelling that gives the form its character.
Performance
Solo work, stage craft and presentation, preparing for festival performance and, where appropriate, Doordarshan grading.
Where and when
Questions
Who can join the classes?
Classes are open to all ages and levels, from complete beginners to advanced students preparing for stage performance.
Do I need prior dance experience?
No. Beginners start with basic Odissi posture, footwork and the chowk and tribhanga stances before moving on to repertoire.
Where are the classes held?
Classes are taught by Shubhada Varadkar and Mitali Varadkar at three locations in Mumbai: Borivali West and Goregaon East on Saturdays, and Vile Parle East on Sundays. Full addresses and timings are listed on the page.
Are there free places?
Yes. The Sanskrita Foundation provides free classical-dance training to underprivileged children as part of its charitable work.
Who teaches the classes?
Shubhada Varadkar, a direct disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Head of the Department of Odissi at Bharata College of Fine Arts and Culture, together with her disciple and instructor Mitali Varadkar.
Enquire
Join a class
Write to us with the student’s age, any prior dance experience, and your preferred location. We will reply with current timings and fees.
