Odissi Dance Centre

We are tucked away in Darapshah Lane, just off Nepeansea Road in Malabar Hill. It's a quiet spot, which is nice for practicing dance. This center has been a part of the neighborhood for a while. We mainly do Odissi, focusing on the traditional items. The space is simple and clean. We don't spend money on big ads; people usually find us through word of mouth. It's funny how many people live right nearby and didn't know we were here until they heard the music coming from the window. We spend hours working on hand gestures and facial expressions. It's a lot of repetition, but that's the only way to get it right. Our students are mostly locals who walk over. We don't have any corporate structure or anything like that. It’s just a teacher and the students working on the steps. Sometimes we have small demonstrations for parents or friends, but nothing too formal. The humidity in Mumbai can make the practice sessions pretty sweaty, but we just keep the fans going and carry on. It’s a good place to escape the city noise for a bit and focus on something rhythmic. We keep our schedules on a piece of paper pinned to the door. It’s a very straightforward setup. There is no pressure to be perfect immediately, as long as you put in the effort. We just enjoy the process of learning together in our little room.