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 disciple of Guru Jhelum Paranjape and Guru Sanatan Chakravarthy 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

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.

📜Sanskrit Treatises — Natyashastra, Abhinaya Darpana, Abhinaya Chandrika
🥁Tala Systems — Rhythmic signatures, structures and clapping exercises
🎭Rasa Theory — The nine emotions (Navarasa) and expressive codes
🏛️Art History — Temple sculpture, history and socio-cultural evolution of Odissi

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.

Children (7+ Years)

A structured foundation combining physical fitness, discipline, and an introduction to Indian mythology.

Teens & Young Adults

Advanced training focusing on technique, repertoire, and opportunities for performance and certification.

Adults & Enthusiasts

Whether a beginner or returning to dance, Odissi offers adults a moving meditation and physical conditioning.

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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Performance Excellence

We prepare students for the stage, instilling confidence and stagecraft through regular opportunities.

Intellectual Depth

Dance is not just movement; it is an intellectual pursuit. We study the Natyashastra, Sanskrit literature, and Rasa theory.

Cultural Custodianship

Our students are custodians of an ancient heritage, trained to carry forward the legacy of Odissi with reverence.