About SITA | Spiritual Institute of Traditional Arts

Founded 2019

Our Story

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SITA — the Spiritual Institute of Traditional Arts — was founded in 2019 by Sita Kadam-Zope, a distinguished Odissi performer, choreographer and educator trained in the lineage of the legendary Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra.

Rooted in the conviction that classical dance is a vehicle of spiritual transformation, SITA was established with a singular mission: to preserve, promote, and share the timeless beauty of Odissi dance with students across the world — regardless of geography, age, or background.

At SITA, dance is understood as a journey of the body, mind, and spirit — a sacred art form that connects the dancer to ancient tradition, to divine beauty, and to the deepest currents of Indian cultural heritage.

Meet the Founder

Est. 2019

Open to All

Who Can Join SITA?

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SITA welcomes students of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels. Dance is for everyone.

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Children (7+)

Age-appropriate foundations in rhythm, movement, mudras and stories from Indian mythology — building confidence and cultural connection.

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Teenagers

Structured training that builds discipline, artistic expression and a deep appreciation for classical performing arts during formative years.

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Adults

Rediscover movement as meditation. Adult learners find depth, discipline and creative joy in Odissi's classical vocabulary.

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Beginners

No prior experience required. Our Foundation Programme provides a gentle, structured entry into the world of Odissi dance.

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Intermediate Dancers

Continue your journey with advanced repertoire, deeper Abhinaya studies, and preparation for ABGMVM certifications.

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Advanced Practitioners

Deepen mastery through Gita Govinda, original choreography, performance practice and research into theoretical traditions.

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Certification Students

Systematically prepare for ABGMVM examinations — Preliminary, Madhyama and Visharad — with a dedicated certification pathway.

Sacred Tradition

Tradition & Lineage

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At the heart of SITA's teaching is an unbroken lineage stretching back to one of India's most celebrated dance masters — Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra — whose contributions to Odissi are immeasurable.

This Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) methodology ensures that every technique, every expression, and every piece of repertoire is transmitted with the authenticity and spiritual depth that the tradition demands.

Students at SITA are not merely learning steps — they are receiving a living tradition, handed down through generations of devoted artists, and now offered to students across the globe.

Guru Parampara

Padma Vibhushan

Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra

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Guru Jhelum Paranjape

Distinguished Odissi Exponent

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Guru Sanatan Chakravarty

Senior Odissi Master

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Sita Kadam-Zope

Founder, SITA | Odissi Nritya Visharad

Worldwide Reach

A Global Odissi Community

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From the Netherlands to India and beyond, SITA's students span continents, cultures and time zones — united by a shared devotion to Odissi.

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Online • In-Person (Netherlands) • Hybrid

Our Vision

Training Dancers, Thinkers & Custodians

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As Dancers

Technical mastery of Odissi's vocabulary — posture, footwork, mudra, expression — developed through years of patient, structured practice.

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As Thinkers

A deep understanding of Indian aesthetics, Natyashastra, Rasa theory, and the literary traditions that give Odissi its profound intellectual depth.

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As Custodians

A sense of responsibility toward this living artistic tradition — to carry it forward with integrity, devotion, and creative excellence.

The Curriculum

Three Pillars of Learning

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Physical Conditioning & Fitness

Odissi demands extraordinary physical discipline. The SITA curriculum begins with conditioning the body — building the strength, flexibility, alignment and endurance needed for the demanding postures and movements of classical Odissi.

💪Strength Training — Core and lower body conditioning for Chowk and Tribhanga postures
🤸Flexibility Work — Dedicated stretching for hips, spine and shoulders
⚖️Alignment & Posture — Body awareness and correct classical alignment
🏃Endurance Building — Stamina for sustained performance

Practical Training in Odissi

The practical curriculum covers the complete Odissi repertoire from basic stances to advanced compositions, structured progressively through SITA's modular learning framework.

🎭Chowk & Tribhanga — The foundational postures of Odissi
🌸Mangalacharan — The auspicious invocatory piece
💃Batu Nritya — Pure dance dedicated to Lord Shiva
🎶Pallavi — Lyrical expressive piece in a chosen raga
❤️Abhinaya — Expressive narrative storytelling
🕊️Moksha — The concluding liberation piece
📚Gita Govinda — Advanced Jayadeva compositions

Theory, Literature & Aesthetics

What separates a technically proficient dancer from a complete classical artist is the depth of their theoretical understanding. SITA's theory curriculum is rigorous, inspiring and essential.

📖Natyashastra — The ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts
🙏Abhinaya Darpana — Classical text on expressive gesture
🌊Abhinaya Chandrika — Key Odia text on Odissi tradition
🎭Rasa Theory — The nine emotions and their aesthetic expressions
🥁Tala Systems — Classical rhythmic theory and composition
✍️Odia & Sanskrit Literature — Literary foundations of Odissi
🏛️History of Indian Dance — Evolution of classical arts traditions

Join the Tradition

Begin Your Odissi Journey Today

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