AlapadmaOdissi Dance Academy Enquire Now

Begin your journey

Learn Odissi with Alapadma

Joyful, structured training for children, teens and adults in the lineage of Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das and Guru Shri Bharat Charan Giri, from a first chauka to a confident stage presentation.

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  • Ages 5 and up
  • Beginners welcome
  • In person & online
Purnima in a seated Odissi pose, one palm raised in a mudra, wearing a magenta costume and traditional jewellery
Six programmesFor every age and stage

Why Alapadma

Learn Odissi the traditional way

Every class carries a living lineage, the experience of the stage and a gentle, values-led approach to learning.

Parampara

An authentic lineage

Learn in the distinctive style of Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das, handed down through Guru Shri Bharat Charan Giri.

Experience

Learn from a performer

Purnima holds a Visharad in Odissi, is a Doordarshan ‘B’ grade artist and has danced on stages in four countries.

Holistic

Dance · Culture · Conscious Living

Grace, culture and values grow together, in the spirit of Purnima’s guiding motto, “Art for Service and Blessedness”.

Confidence

Poise on and off the stage

Regular practice builds posture, focus and discipline that carry from the classroom towards the stage.

Meet the Guru

Our Programmes

Find your place to begin

Six programmes for every age and stage, from a child’s first steps to the full classical repertoire.

Children 5–12

Little Lotus

A joyful first step into Odissi for young dancers, building posture, rhythm, focus and confidence.

What you learn

  • Basic stances: chauka and tribhangi
  • Simple footwork and keeping rhythm
  • Hastas (hand gestures) and their meanings
  • Short dances, including folk dances of Odisha

Batch timings and fees shared on enquiry

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Beginners · Teens & adults

Foundation

For teens and adults starting from the very beginning, or returning to dance after a break. No experience needed.

What you learn

  • Chauka, tribhangi and correct alignment
  • Footwork patterns and bhramari (turns)
  • Hastas with head, neck and eye movements
  • A first item: Mangalacharan

Batch timings and fees shared on enquiry

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Building on the basics

Intermediate & Repertoire

For students with a sound foundation who are ready to learn the classical repertoire in depth.

What you learn

  • Pallavi: pure dance that blossoms with a raga
  • Sthayee, conceived by Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das
  • First steps in abhinaya (expression)
  • Precision, stamina and musicality

Batch timings and fees shared on enquiry

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Dedicated students

Advanced & Performance

For committed dancers refining the full recital and preparing to present Odissi on stage.

What you learn

  • Abhinaya pieces such as Geeta Govinda and Durga Stuti
  • Mokshya and the complete recital
  • Depth of expression and refinement of style
  • Stage presence and performance preparation

Batch timings and fees shared on enquiry

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Learn from anywhere

Online Classes

Live, guided Odissi classes for learners who cannot attend in person, wherever they are in the world.

What you learn

  • Structured lessons from foundation to repertoire
  • Guidance and correction from the Guru
  • How to practise well at home

Batch timings and fees shared on enquiry

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Schools, groups & organisers

Workshops & Events

Introductory workshops and choreography for schools, communities, festivals and cultural events.

What you learn

  • An introduction to Odissi and its heritage
  • A first taste of posture, mudras and rhythm
  • Choreography for festivals and cultural programmes

Dates and fees shared on enquiry

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Not sure where to begin? Tell us a little about the learner and we will suggest the right programme.

Help Me Choose

The Learning Path

From first steps to the stage

Odissi is learnt layer by layer. Each stage builds on the one before, at the pace that is right for every student.

  1. Stage 1

    Foundations

    The grammar of Odissi, practised until it lives in the body.

    • Chauka
    • Tribhangi
    • Footwork
    • Hastas
    • Bhramari

  2. Stage 2

    First items

    Mangalacharan, the invocation that opens a recital, and lively folk dances of Odisha.

  3. Stage 3

    Pallavi

    Pure dance that blossoms with a raga, such as Kalyan or Basanta, refining line and rhythm.

  4. Stage 4

    Abhinaya

    Storytelling through expression, from the Geeta Govinda to traditional Odissi songs.

  5. Stage 5

    Mokshya

    The finale of liberation, where dance dissolves into pure, spiritual joy.

  6. Stage 6

    Stage presentation

    Bringing it all together on stage, with the poise and confidence of an Odissi dancer.

Take the First Step
Purnima in a full-length Odissi pose, arms framing the head, before a temple backdrop

Inside a Class

What happens in a session

A class weaves together body, rhythm, technique and feeling. Sessions are shaped around the learner’s level and usually include:

  1. Warm-up & body conditioning

    Stretching and strengthening that prepare the knees, back and core for chauka and tribhangi.

  2. Technique

    Stances, footwork, turns and transitions, practised slowly and precisely with careful correction.

  3. Mudras & rhythm

    Hastas and their meanings, with counts and tala, so that movement and music become one.

  4. Repertoire

    Learning a dance section by section, then performing it through with growing confidence.

  5. Expression

    Abhinaya: the eyes, face and feeling that bring each story and emotion to life.

Fees & Timings

Batch timings and fees are shared on enquiry

Timings and fees vary with the programme and mode of learning, so we share the current details personally. Send a short enquiry and we will reply with:

  • Current batch timings
  • Fees for the programme
  • The best class to begin with
Enquire Now Or write to us

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

What parents and new students most often ask before the first class.

Purnima in Odissi adornment with a delicate hand gesture

Still wondering?

Add your question to an enquiry and we will gladly help.

Ask a question
Do I need any dance experience to join?

Not at all. Little Lotus and Foundation begin from the very first steps: how to stand, hold the body and move in rhythm. Students with previous training are guided to the level that suits them.

What is the right age to start Odissi?

Children can begin from about five years of age in the Little Lotus programme. Purnima began learning Odissi and folk dance at the age of six, at RAWA Academy in Odisha.

I am an adult. Is it too late to learn?

It is never too late. The Foundation programme welcomes teens and adults, whether you are a complete beginner or returning to dance after a break. Odissi rewards patience and regular practice at any age.

Do you offer online classes?

Yes. Online Classes are for learners who cannot attend in person, wherever they live. Mention your city and time zone in your enquiry and we will share the options available.

What should I wear to class?

Comfortable practice clothes that let you move and bend your knees freely are ideal to begin with. Details of practice attire are shared when you join.

How do I enrol?

Simply send an enquiry with the learner’s age, any previous dance experience and whether you prefer in-person or online classes. We will reply with batch timings, fees and the best programme to begin with.

Will students get to perform?

The learning path builds towards stage presentation, and the Advanced & Performance programme prepares committed dancers to present Odissi on stage. If performing is a goal, mention it in your enquiry.

Do you also teach the folk dances of Odisha?

Yes. Alongside Odissi, the repertoire includes folk dances of Odisha such as Sambalpuri and Danda. Purnima trained in both Odissi and folk dance from childhood.

Your first step

Let your Odissi journey bloom

Tell us about the learner and we will share batch timings, fees and the best programme to begin with.

Enquire for Classes Meet the Guru