INDIAN SEMI-CLASSICAL
WED · STUDIO AAKASH · SWAPNIL
Where Kathak grammar meets the storytelling of Bollywood. A class built on detail — posture, mudras, eye expression, and the craft that makes every movement precise.
What is Indian Semi-Classical?
Semi-classical dance sits between two worlds — the discipline and grammar of classical Indian dance (rooted in Kathak), and the storytelling freedom of Bollywood. We work on posture, mudras, eye expression, and the controlled, sculptural movement that makes this style instantly recognisable.
A good fit for dancers with a foundation in Indian dance, or a year or two of dance experience in another style. Newcomers can build a foundation through our seasonal Semi-Classical intensives in summer or winter, or the 4-Week Starter Series at the start of each semester. Age 12+.
Free trial week · 14–19 September
Drop in to any class, no registration needed — subject to availability
Swapnil Dagliya
Pune, India / Ghent, Belgium
KathakIndian Semi-Classical
Artistic director and co-founder of Shoonya Dance Centre, born in Pune, India. Trained at Broadway Dance Center (New York) and Opus Ballet (Florence), with ongoing Kathak training under Radhika Karandikar. Leads ABC a Bollywood Company and curates the annual Gent India Dans Festival.
Read full bio ▸
Swapnil Dagliya is the artistic director and co-founder of Shoonya Dance Centre in Ghent, Belgium. Born and raised in Pune, India — near Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood — he grew up immersed in the vibrant world of Indian film music and dance. He blends his Indian roots with training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance to make Indian dance more accessible and relatable to international audiences.
He is a certified instructor with Learn Bhangra® and holds a diploma in Indian folk dance, with deep expertise in traditional forms like Garba, Rajasthani dances such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, and other folk styles from across India. His formal training includes graduation from the Broadway Dance Center in New York and advanced studies at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy, where he trained with renowned teachers and international artists.
From 2008 to 2018, Swapnil led his own dance school in India — SPACE (Swapnil's Performing Arts & Contemporary Ensemble) — and taught dance and theory at Lalit Kala Kendra – University of Pune and Flame University, mentoring many young dancers.
His journey with movement began in childhood through yoga, guided by his grandmother, a student of B.K.S. Iyengar. In 2011, he completed his yoga teacher training in Pune, a foundation that continues to influence his approach to choreography and teaching today.
Now based in Belgium, Swapnil teaches regular classes at Shoonya Dance Centre and leads ABC a Bollywood Company. He is also the curator of the annual Gent India Dans Festival, a celebration of the richness and diversity of Indian dance in the heart of Ghent.
He is a certified instructor with Learn Bhangra® and holds a diploma in Indian folk dance, with deep expertise in traditional forms like Garba, Rajasthani dances such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, and other folk styles from across India. His formal training includes graduation from the Broadway Dance Center in New York and advanced studies at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy, where he trained with renowned teachers and international artists.
From 2008 to 2018, Swapnil led his own dance school in India — SPACE (Swapnil's Performing Arts & Contemporary Ensemble) — and taught dance and theory at Lalit Kala Kendra – University of Pune and Flame University, mentoring many young dancers.
His journey with movement began in childhood through yoga, guided by his grandmother, a student of B.K.S. Iyengar. In 2011, he completed his yoga teacher training in Pune, a foundation that continues to influence his approach to choreography and teaching today.
Now based in Belgium, Swapnil teaches regular classes at Shoonya Dance Centre and leads ABC a Bollywood Company. He is also the curator of the annual Gent India Dans Festival, a celebration of the richness and diversity of Indian dance in the heart of Ghent.
📷 Kattoo Hillewaere
Sep 2026
Levels & registration
Sep 2026 · Wednesday evenings
Level 2
Foundation in Indian dance or 1–2 years in any style.
Semi-classical dance sits between two worlds — the discipline and grammar of classical Indian dance (rooted in Kathak), and the storytelling freedom of Bollywood. We work on posture, mudras, eye expression, and the controlled, sculptural movement that makes this style instantly recognisable.
14 sessions · Sep–Jan · see all dates
Wed 16 SepWed 23 SepWed 30 Sep
Wed 7 OctWed 14 OctWed 21 OctWed 28 Oct
— Herfstvakantie (Nov 1–8) —
Wed 11 NovWed 18 NovWed 25 Nov
Wed 2 Dec
— Dec 9 & 16: no class (teacher away) —
— Kerstvakantie (Dec 20 – Jan 10) —
Wed 13 JanWed 20 JanWed 27 Jan
€202
Full
€179
Student / 2+ lessen −12%
€40.40
UiTPAS −80%
4-Week Starter Series
No experience needed. Start here.
A focused 4-week introduction to Indian semi-classical dance — built for complete beginners and dancers new to Indian styles. We cover the foundational posture, mudras, and movement vocabulary at the heart of every semi-classical class. By the end of the series, you'll be ready to step into Level 2.
Continuing into Level 2 after the series? The €58 you paid is deducted from your semester fee — you only pay the difference.
4 sessions · see all dates
Wed 16 SepWed 23 Sep
Wed 30 SepWed 7 Oct
€58
Full price
Spring 2026 classes run until 9 June — view the schedule →
