Odissi is the temple dance from the eastern state of Odisha. The origins of this dance can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C. carvings of the Rani Gumpa caves in Udaygiri, Odisha.
The Natya Shastra refers to this dance as Odar Magadha. It is considered to be one of the oldest Classical dances in the world. The Natya Shastra text consist of about 6000 verses structured into 36 Chapters.
Kavichandra Kalicharan Pattanayak is also credited with naming the dance form as "Odissi".
Traditional Odissi exist in two major styles, the first is spiritual Temple Dance (Maharis), the second performed by the Boys/Youth dressed as girls (Gotipuas). The traditional odissi includes pure dance (Nritta), dance with emotion (Nritya) and dramatic dance (Natya).
The 3 primary dance positions are Samabhanga, Abhanga & Treevanga.
Mudras or Hastas are hand gestures which are used to express the meaning of a given act. There are two types of Hasta Mudras one is Sanjukta (23 Types) the second one is Asanjukta (28 Types) in Odissi Dance. Also Odissi Dance have Head Moment, Neck Moment & different Posture also such as “Chauka” “Trivangi”, etc.
The Odissi Dancers are colorfully dressed with makeup, jewellery (Tahia, Sinthi,Baju, Bangles, Bangpatia (wear in Waist)) & silk Patta Odissi Dress. Odissi Dance is accompanied by the Traditional Odissi Music & Song. Odissi Ragas are Kalyana, Natya, Bhairavi, etc.
Odissi Dance is performed by both Male & female artist. When male teacher is called “Nritya Guru” & female teacher is called “Nritya Shilpi”.
The traditional Odissi dance pays great importance to Lord Jagannath who is considered to be the god of the universe and is worshipped by the people of Odisha.
Padma Shri (1975) Sanjukta Panigrahi was the first female Odissi Dancer of Odisha, India
Nrutya Guru Padma Bibhusana Kelu Charan Mohapatra Padma Bibhusana Mayadhara Rout
Nrutya Shilpi Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty Sonal Mansingh
Odissi Nritya Shilpi
Mrs. Rajlaxmi Moharana
 |
| Odissi Dance |
 |
| Odissi Dance |