Odissi Dance

Odissi dance, the quintessential dance form of Orissa is a classical dance style. The roots of this traditional dance can be traced back to the innumerable temples and shrines that are peppered all over Orissa. Like all other cultural extravaganzas of Orissa, this Orissa dance too reflects the religious Diaspora that envelops the East Indian state.

The archetypal rhythm, mudras and bhangis (styles) associated with this dance of Orissa have an inimitable appeal, unmatched by any other Indian dance. The dance movements are usually centered on romantic themes that more often than not deals with the fairy tale love story of Lord Krishna and his beloved consort Radha.

Subtle melodious notes whose lilting tunes exude an aura of harmony accompany the lyrical dance. Odissi dance vividly illustrates the intimate relationship between poetry and music and keeps the bond intact. With a keen eye to detail and aesthetics, the dance incorporates some wondrous movements and striking postures that bewitch the captivated audience. The various postures of this spectacular dance convey the mood and eaten of the performer.

The significant parts of this highly intricate dance form include the Batunrya or Sthayi Nata, Abhinaya and the Managlacharna. Each of these forms has a strong religious character. While performing the rituals of the Mangalacharana, the dancer offers her self to the Lord and seeks penitence to the Mother Earth for trampling on her grounds and also seeks the forgiveness of the audience for all other sins and transgressions. The purity of the pristine Batu Nrytya is displayed through the sonorous notes of the veena and the flute and the beats of the drum and the cymbals while the lyrical and melodious Pallivi brims with the grace and poise of the Sargam and Bols composed by celebrated poets of the likes of Jayadeva, Baladeva Rath, Banamali, Upendra Bhanja and Gopala.