Saswat Joshi & Prakruti Mishra: Celebrating Odissi Dance

Saswat Joshi & Prakruti Mishra: Celebrating Odissi Dance Excellence

BY Mrudu malay Mohapatra

Saswat Joshi & Prakruti Mishra: Celebrating Odissi Dance Excellence.

Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India, originating from the state of Odisha in eastern India. Known for its grace, fluidity, and intricate footwork, Odissi is a dance of both spiritual and cultural significance.

Key Features of Odissi Dance:

Postures and Gestures:
- Tribhanga: One of the signature postures of Odissi, meaning “three bends” – the body is bent at the neck, torso, and knee, creating an elegant and graceful curvature.
- Mudras: Hand gestures play a crucial role in Odissi, used to convey various meanings and emotions.
Footwork and Rhythms:
- Odissi is known for its complex footwork and rhythmic precision. The dancers execute intricate foot patterns (called “chandranalika” or “foot patterns of the moon”) with sharpness and grace.
- Rhythmic beats, especially in the tala (rhythmic cycles), are integral to the dance.
Abhinaya (Expression):
- A significant aspect of Odissi is abhinaya or expressive storytelling, often based on themes from Hindu mythology, particularly the stories of Lord Krishna, Radha, and other deities.
- Facial expressions, along with the hand gestures, help communicate emotions and stories to the audience.
Costume:
- The traditional Odissi costume includes a sari, with a distinctive style of draping called the “Odissi style.” The dancer wears a headpiece, jewelry, and a fan-shaped pleated scarf (“posha”), which adds to the visual appeal.
Music:
- The music for Odissi is traditionally classical Odia music, often based on ragas and talas. Live music accompaniment, featuring instruments like mardala (a type of drum), sitar, and flute, is an integral part of performances.

Performance Structure:

An Odissi dance performance typically consists of several parts:

Mangalacharan: The opening piece that is usually a prayer or invocation to the deities, ensuring a divine blessing for the performance.
Basant Pallavi: A lyrical piece celebrating nature, usually depicting seasonal themes and the beauty of nature.
Abhinaya: A segment focused on the expression of a story, often from mythology or religious themes.
Moksha: The concluding piece, signifying liberation and transcendence.

Historical Significance:

Odissi is believed to have originated from the ancient temple dance traditions of Odisha, where dancers performed in the temples as a form of worship.
The dance was traditionally performed in temples as part of religious rituals dedicated to deities, particularly Lord Jagannath in Puri.

Modern Revival:

In the 20th century, Odissi experienced a revival, especially through the efforts of renowned dance gurus like Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sanjukta Panigrahi, and Shyama Gauri. These artists helped bring the dance from the temple to the stage, preserving and popularizing its intricate techniques and expressions.

Today, Odissi is celebrated worldwide, performed in prestigious venues and festivals, and continues to inspire both traditional and contemporary dancers.