Odissi Dance – Classical Dance of India

Odissi Dance
Odissi Dance considered being as the most complex and leading classical dance of India originated in the old Hindu temples of Odisha state.

History of Odissi Dance:

It was performed by Mahari (Devadasis) who dedicated their lives to deities. They never married and never raised their families.
 
Guru Pankaj Charan Das was a classical dancer who also known as the “Adiguru Of Odissi Dance“. He was the adopted son of Ratna Prabha Devi who was a Mahari and learns the skill of classical movement. Later he told people about this dance and bring out of this dance from the temple. He was awarded the Padmashri (fourth highest civilian awards) 1992. 

Odissi Dance is divided into five major parts:

  • Mangalacharan – Odissi Dancers used to offer their devotional feelings or prayers in front of Lord Jagannath and offering flowers and salutation to the earth so this is called as Mangalacharan.

Odissi Dance

  • Battu or Sthayee Dance – This dance is performed in the honor of Lord Shiva. This is the most difficult part of Odissi Dance.
  • Pallavi Dance – This dance is completely different from other dances. This dance is a slow and lyrical movement of eyes, neck, torso & feet. The dancers only communicate with sign language, hand gestures, enacting mood, and emotions.

Odissi Dance

  • Abhinaya – It is the expressional sequence. Abhinaya is the pure demonstration of an emotion contained in a song. Basically, the music is the Sanskrit song of the Geeta Govinda or Geeti Natya where the language of the body and face will express.
  • Moksha – Moksha is the conclusion part of a recital. Moksha means “spiritual Liberation”. This dance movement traditionally attempts to convey a spiritual release & soul liberation.

Odissi Dance

What is odissi dance & about odissi dance?

Nowadays Odissi Dance is disappeared from classical dance so to save the tradition young boys dressed as girls to continued the dance form in the name of “Goti Pua“. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary classical dancer who also famous as a Gotipua dancer. Later he started an Odissi Dance academy to teach every category of students. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhusana, Padma Shri & Sangeet Natak Academy award.
 
Odissi Dance is famous worldwide due to the reason of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
 
Orissa Dance Academy, Odissi Dance Academy, Srjan are one of the best classical dance academies in Odisha.
 

Odissi Dance

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