Gent India Dans Festival
GIDF 2026
An annual celebration of Indian dance in Belgium
1 – 3 May 2026  ·  Shoonya Dance Centre, Ghent
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The Weekend at a Glance

Three days of Indian dance
in the heart of Ghent

Friday
1 May
Afternoon
4-hour intensive with Colleena Shakti · Live music by Hameed Khan 'Kawa'
Evening · Workshops
Bollywood Folk Fusion & Garba Choreography
Vaishali Sagar & Shampa Gopikrishna
Night · From 21:00
Live performances · Dariya Live Band · DJ @swapkebolly · Kalbeliya community class included
Saturday
2 May
Morning & Afternoon · Workshops
Kuthu · Mayurbhanj Chhau · Giddha · Abhinaya
Desihop · Shampa Gopikrishna · Manasi · Colleena Shakti
Evening · 20:30
18 acts · No interval · ~90 minutes · Shoonya Theatre · Almost sold out
Sunday
3 May
Morning & Afternoon · Workshops
Indian Fusion Bellydance · Desi-Afro Grooves · Lavani · Bamboo Beats: Cheraw
Colleena Shakti · Desihop · Swapnil Dagliya · Vaishali Sagar
Closing · ~18:00
One Last Gupshup
A closing circle to end the weekend together
Never tried Indian dance?

You don't need experience.
Just curiosity.

The Opening Party on Friday night is the perfect way in. Watch ten live performances, join a Kalbeliya community class with Swapnil, and dance the night away with the Dariya Live Band and DJ @swapkebolly — all for €15. No skills, no costume, no prior knowledge needed.

Come to the Party — €15
Ready to join?Secure your spot in the workshops you want — places are limited.
Register for Workshops →
Workshops

Three days of immersive Indian dance workshops led by master teachers — from classical expression to vibrant folk traditions. All workshops welcome dancers of every background.

Friday 1 May 2026
12:00 – 16:00
Technique & Tools Lab: Pushing the Boundaries of Rajasthani Folk
✦ Colleena ShaktiStudio Aakash

A deep-dive into the foundational tools of performance — how the body communicates beyond steps. Explore breath, gaze, intention and the distinct vocabulary of Rajasthani folk as instruments of expression.

Rajasthani Folk / Abhinaya
17:00 – 18:30
Bollywood Folk Fusion
✦ Vaishali SagarStudio Art Deco

Where Bollywood meets folk — a joyful fusion blending the energy of Indian cinema dance with the vibrancy of regional folk traditions. High energy, full heart.

Bollywood / Folk
18:30 – 20:00
Garba Choreography
✦ Shampa GopikrishnaStudio Art Deco

The spirited circular dance of Gujarat, traditionally performed during Navratri. Rhythmic footwork, graceful arm patterns, and the profound joy of dancing together in a circle.

Garba / Gujarati Folk
16:30 – 17:00  ·  Spill the Chai — Community Break
20:00 – 20:15  ·  Costume Workshop: Kalbeliya Styling
20:15 – 21:00
Community Class: Kalbeliya
✦ Swapnil DagliyaStudio Art Deco

Kalbeliya is the serpentine folk dance of the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Fluid, earthy, and deeply alive. Included with your Opening Party ticket — right before the party begins.

Kalbeliya / Rajasthani FolkIncluded with Opening Party
Saturday 2 May 2026
08:45 – 09:00  ·  Rise & Riyaaz — Morning Warm-Up with Swapnil
09:00 – 11:00
Kuthu: The Heartbeat of the Streets
✦ DesihopStudio Art Deco

Tamil street dance — high energy, rhythmic, rooted in Tamil cinema and celebration culture. Fast footwork, expressive hand gestures, and unstoppable groove.

Kuthu / Tamil Folk
11:00 – 12:30
The Martial Grace of Mayurbhanj Chhau
✦ Shampa GopikrishnaStudio Art Deco

A semi-classical dance rooted in martial arts and tribal traditions from Odisha. Powerful leaps, warrior postures, and deeply expressive storytelling — movement as mythology.

Mayurbhanj Chhau
13:30 – 15:00
Giddha: The Pulse of Punjab
✦ ManasiStudio Ananta

The folk dance of Punjabi women — lively, expressive, full of wit. Participants perform boliyan (folk verses) and clap in rhythmic patterns, celebrating everyday life with collective joy.

Giddha / Punjabi Folk
15:00 – 15:20  ·  Spill the Chai — Community Break
15:20 – 16:50
Abhinaya: Training Expression for Dance
✦ Colleena ShaktiStudio Ananta

The ancient art of expressive storytelling — communicating emotion through facial expression, gesture, and the whole body. Learn to inhabit a character and move an audience.

Abhinaya / Expression
Sunday 3 May 2026
09:15 – 09:30  ·  Rise & Riyaaz — Morning Warm-Up with Swapnil
09:30 – 11:00
Indian Fusion Bellydance
✦ Colleena ShaktiStudio Ananta

A fusion workshop blending Indian folk aesthetics with the fluid isolations of bellydance — where two ancient traditions meet to create something entirely new.

Indian Fusion / Bellydance
11:00 – 12:30
Desi-Afro Grooves: From Mumbai to Lagos
✦ DesihopStudio Ananta

A genre-defying workshop exploring where Indian and African dance traditions collide — rhythm, groove, and movement that crosses continents.

Desi / Afrobeats Fusion
13:30 – 15:30
Lavani: The Bold Heart of Maharashtra
✦ Swapnil DagliyaStudio Ananta

Lavani is a powerful folk form from Maharashtra — strong rhythms, dramatic expression, and the kind of energy that fills a room without warning. Bold, proud, and utterly captivating.

Lavani / Maharashtrian Folk
15:30 – 15:50  ·  Spill the Chai — Community Break
15:50 – 17:20
Bamboo Beats: The Rhythms of Cheraw
✦ Vaishali SagarStudio Ananta

Cheraw is the bamboo dance of Mizoram, northeast India — a striking and playful tradition where dancers weave between moving bamboo poles. Precision, rhythm, and pure joy.

Cheraw / Mizoram Folk
17:20 – 18:00  ·  One Last Gupshup — Closing Circle
Practical Info

Everything you need before you arrive at Shoonya Dance Centre for GIDF 2026.

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Venue
NameShoonya Dance Centre
CityGhent, Belgium
Gala StageShoonya Theatre (Studio Art Deco · First Floor)
Opening PartyStudio Ananta · Ground Floor
📍 Open in Google Maps
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Three Days at a Glance
Fri 12:00Friday workshops begin
Fri 21:00Opening Party · Studio Ananta
Sat 09:00Saturday workshops begin
Sat 20:30Gala Showcase · Shoonya Theatre
Sun 09:30Sunday workshops begin
Sun 17:20Closing Circle — One Last Gupshup
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Getting There
By BusLines 5 and 8 stop directly in front of Stapelplein.
By TrainGent-Dampoort Station (700m, 10-min walk) or Tram 4 to Sleepstraat.
By BikeAmple bike parking on Stapelplein square.
By CarStreet parking in surrounding streets — chargeable until 23:00 including Sundays. Paid parking at Dok-Noord (~5 min walk).
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What to bring
Comfortable clothing you can move freely in
Dance shoes, socks, or bare feet — no street shoes on studio floors
Water bottle & small towel
An open mind — no experience needed
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Changing Rooms
Opening Party1st Floor, behind the backdrop
Gala ShowcaseStudio Aakash — 2nd Floor

Look after your own belongings — GIDF and Shoonya Dance Centre cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.

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Studios at Shoonya
Studio Art Deco · 1st Floor240m² · Main workshop space & Shoonya Theatre for the Gala Showcase.
Studio Ananta · Ground Floor140m² · Opening Party venue. Rise & Riyaaz each morning.
Studio Aakash · 2nd Floor140m² · Sprung floor. Technique & Tools Lab.
Bar AreaSpill the Chai community breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all. Every workshop at GIDF 2026 welcomes complete beginners. Come curious, open, and ready to move — no previous experience needed.

Yes — spaces are limited and some workshops are selling fast. Single workshop prices are also higher on the day (€35 vs €30 for 90-min, €45 vs €40 for 120-min), so booking online saves you money too.

Comfortable clothing you can move freely in. Dance shoes, socks, or bare feet — no street shoes on studio floors. Bring a water bottle and a small towel.

Dress to celebrate — smart casual to festive. The Gala is an evening show at Shoonya Theatre. Doors open at 20:00, show begins at 20:30. No photography or video during the performance.

Yes, all workshops are conducted in English.

The Opening Party (Friday night) is a social celebration — live performances, the Dariya Live Band, and DJ @swapkebolly. The Gala Showcase (Saturday evening) is a seated theatrical performance with 18 acts across ~90 minutes.

Absolutely. Day passes are available for Friday (€65), Saturday (€110), and Sunday (€110). You can also book individual workshops without a pass.

A morning warm-up class with Swapnil to start the day — Saturday 08:45–09:00, Sunday 09:15–09:30. Included with all passes. Not on Friday.