Our Classes
We at PDA teach the classical and traditional form of belly dance, which is also know as Oriental Dance, along with its various popular flavours. Our aim is to appreciate and practice an art form that is not a part of our culture through correct guidance and resources.
For those who are absolutely new to world of Oriental dance, popularly known as belly dance, PDA provides a systematic training and has an extensive format which helps our students to understand the culture and learn the art in it’s true essence.
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KOLKATA WORKSHOPS
20th December – SAIDI Workshop
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Saidi folklore culture studies, styling, techniques & choreography
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Fee: Rs. 1500/-
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A deep-dive into the rich culture and traditions of Upper Egypt, this workshop will help you understand Saidi beyond just the movements. Learn authentic styling, key techniques, and walk away with a choreography segment you can proudly use to perform. Bring your assayas but if you dont have one, let us know prior, so we can arrange some extras.
21st December – S.P.A.C.E. Format | “LISSA FAKIR”
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A short combo on the classic song using Payal’s signature S.P.A.C.E. movement-quality method — a visual, intuitive way to understand textures in Oriental dance.
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Fee: Rs. 1500/- -
Whether you’re familiar with S.P.A.C.E. or experiencing it for the first time, this session will help you internalize emotion, nuance, and dynamism in your movement using my signature concept.
Fees: Rs. 1500/- per workshop or Rs. 2500/- for both.

S.P.A.C.E - ADVANCE LEVEL TRAINING - DROP IN
S.P.A.C.E. – A Signature Movement Language for the Evolved Bellydancer​
Created by Payal Gupta, S.P.A.C.E. is a refined methodology designed for advanced-level dancers, semi-professionals, professionals, and educators seeking to elevate their craft. Centered around five expressive movement qualities — Sustained, Percussive, Airy, Contrast, and Earthy — this format deepens your connection to music, enriches your improvisation, and brings emotional texture to both performance and pedagogy.
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Whether you're developing your signature style, choreographing with intent, or mentoring others, S.P.A.C.E. offers a powerful framework to unlock authenticity, clarity, and expressive range in Raqs Sharqi.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join the Beginners Level course?
The Beginners level course is open to individuals of all ages and fitness levels. No
prior dance experience is necessary, though some basic movement coordination might be helpful.
What are the prerequisites for enrolling?
There are no specific prerequisites, but students should be in good general health. Consult with your doctor if you have any health conditions that may affect your ability to dance.
How many Levels does the Bellydance training have at the academy?
Our regular certified Bellydance training is divided into three main levels- BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED.
How long does it take to complete each level?
Our Beginners level takes anywhere between 4 to 8 months, Intermediate level takes at least 1 to 1.5 years & the Advance level would take 5 years to complete.
What topics will be covered in the Beginners Level course?
The course will cover:
Basic belly dance techniques (hip work, torso movements, arm & footwork)
Posture and body alignment
Egyptian Pop song Choreography & Classical Bellydance song Choreography
Cultural history of belly dance & essential Rhythms
How long is the Beginners Level course and what is the schedule for PUNE classes?
With regards to our PUNE batches : The Beginners level runs on the rolling class format with master our pro Instructor SAKSHI TAJANE, with sessions held once a week. Each session is for 2 hours therefore giving you a total of 8 hours of training each month.
How long is the Beginners Level course and what is the schedule for MUMBAI classes?
With regards to our MUMBAI batches : The Beginners level runs on the rolling class format with master teacher Payal Gupta, with sessions held once a week. Each session is for 2 hours therefore giving you a total of 8 hours of training each month.
The Mumbai classes are also HYBRID format, which means that you can either join Online from any part of the world or Offline in studio. Recordings are available as well.
Why do I need to give an assessment?
The assessment is an essential part of the certification process as it ensures that students have mastered the skills and knowledge required to perform belly dance effectively and safely. Belly dance is a skill-based discipline, and assessments help us evaluate your progress in the following ways:
Personal Progress: It helps both you and your instructor gauge how far you've come in your learning journey. It allows you to reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement.
Certification Standards: The certification is a recognition of your hard work and competency. By passing the assessment, you demonstrate that you meet the required standard to hold the certification. This ensures that the certificate holds value for both personal achievement and professional opportunities.
Quality of Learning: The assessment maintains the integrity of the course and the certification program. It helps ensure that all graduates are equally prepared to either perform, teach, or continue learning at higher levels of belly dance.
Feedback for Future Growth: The assessment provides constructive feedback, which is invaluable for your continuous development as a dancer. It identifies any areas you may need to work on further before moving to more advanced levels or starting to perform professionally.
What happens if I don’t feel confident to give an assessment?
If a student feels underprepared or not-yet-ready to move to the next level, then she can choose to repeat the Beginners level for another duration of 2 months but work closely with the instructor until she feels confident to test out.
What do I have to do for the assessment?
Every student who is eligible for the assessment must prepare their own choreography for 2 mins 30 secs using the techniques that have been taught in the class. Students will be guided on song selection & putting the choreography together.
How or where does the assessment take place?
For the assessment, the instructor of the batch will announce a particular time & day that is convenient for the students to come to the studio and perform live in front of the instructor.
Each individual is scored based on certain parameters. A minimum score is required to clear the assessment.
Feed back will be given to each individual post assessment & certificated will be awarded to those who clear the assessment.
Will I be able to perform after completing the course?
Yes, the course includes opportunities for students to perform in recitals or student showcases, depending on your skill level and readiness.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes, students who clear the assessment will receive a certification. This certification will include details of the dance style(s) studied and the duration of the course.
Is the certification recognized?
The certification is recognized by all dance schools, institutes & academies across India. However, please note that this certification may not be recognized globally and is primarily for personal enrichment or professional opportunities within India.
Can I teach belly dance after completing the course?
If you wish to become a certified instructor, additional training or a teaching certification may be required. Inquire with the academy about instructor certification programs.
Are there any additional costs?
You may need to purchase dance attire, such as hip scarves, coin belts or practice wear skits or jumpsuits. These are optional but recommended for comfort and performance readiness. These can be purchased via your instructor or our website.
Are the dance classes physically demanding?
While belly dance is a low-impact form of exercise, it does involve body isolations and some endurance. We recommend starting slowly and gradually increasing your activity level.
What should I do if I have an injury or medical condition?
Inform your instructor about any injuries or medical conditions before starting the class. Modifications will be provided, but always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new physical activity.
Are there any warm-up or cool-down exercises included in the course?
Yes, every class includes a warm-up at the beginning and a cool-down at the end to prevent injury and promote flexibility.
Do I need to bring my own dance attire?
It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. You may be required to wear a hip scarf during class. Specific attire recommendations will be provided upon enrollment.
What should I bring to class?
Comfortable clothing, a water bottle, a notebook for taking notes, and a positive attitude! If required, you’ll be informed of additional equipment in advance.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Our classes maintain an optimal student-to-teacher ratio to ensure personalized attention. The typical ratio is 1:10, which allows for sufficient individual feedback.
What is the age group required for training in bellydance?
Our courses are open for students from the age of 6 to 60. However, majority of the students we receive are students or working women.
Can I attend a trial class before enrolling?
We, don’t generally provide trial classes since we believe that just one class is not enough for you to guage your ability to dance this art form. But more importantly, our course itself is structured in such a slow, progressive & repetitive way that anyone can learn Bellydance irrespective of their dance background, age, body type or personality.
What if I miss a class?
If you miss a class you need not worry since the syllabus is repetitive & designed in such a way that it becomes imperative to first catch up & then learn further, but we still offer the following options-
you may be able to make it up by attending another session at a different location since our classes across all locations run parallelly.
you can keep the instructor informed and therefore you may be asked to either come before or stay back for a few mins in the next class to catch up with what you’ve missed.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw from the course?
Fees once paid, cannot be refunded, adjusted or carried forward, irrespective of the number of classes you are able to attend. Therefore kindly be prepared to commit to course schedules.
What happens if the instructor cancels/reschedules the class?
This is highly unlikely to happen but under certain circumstances like heavy rain falls or if the instructor falls really sick, then the class will be rescheduled to a time convenient to the students in the batch & as per studio availability.
Is there a dress code for performances?
Yes, there may be a specific dress code for performances. You will be informed ahead of time about what is required for any public shows or recitals.
Can I perform professionally after completing the course?
Depending on what level course you've completed, our academy itself provides several performance opportunities through the year either solo or as part of a group. The course will equip you with the foundational skills required for public performances.







