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From the temple halls to the global stage
“यतो हस्तस्ततो दृष्टिः । यतो दृष्टिस्ततो मनः । यतो मनस्ततो भावः । यतो भावस्ततो रसः ॥”
This Sanskrit verse from the ancient Nāṭyaśāstra captures the essence of all Indian classical dances and how a dancer, through their movements, expressions, and grace, invokes emotion in the audience. Perhaps no Indian classical dance depicts this philosophy more accurately than Odissi, as the dancers' poise, posture, and movements seem literally like ‘sculpture in motion’.
Close your eyes for a moment and picture yourself in a centuries-old temple in Odisha - an eastern coastal state of India. Focus on the rhythmic tinkling of the ankle bells ‘ghunghroo’ as the Odissi dancer adorned with silk, silver ornaments, and flowers walks to the front stage. With an invocation to the almighty, amid the music of the instruments, the dancer moves in ways that mesmerize the audience, sometimes freezing into a graceful pose like a stone sculpture on the temple walls. This is the magic of Odissi - the iconic dance form and cultural heartbeat of Odisha. Whether you’re exploring Odissi for the first time after being smitten by a performance or are looking for the best Odissi dance academy in Bhubaneswar to begin your own journey, it’s always beneficial to first understand the rich history of this dance form so that you can celebrate it meaningfully.
Odissi - A Dance Born in the Temples
Odissi, widely considered the oldest surviving classical dance form of India, holds a prominent place among India’s eight recognised classical dance forms. The story of Odissi dates back over 2000 years and is intertwined with the magnificent temples and spiritual traditions of Odisha. Traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art, Odissi finds mention in the Natya Shastra - the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of performance arts attributed to the ancient scholar Bharata Muni. The Natya Shastra refers to four pravrittis (methods of expressive delivery) in vogue – Avanti, Dakshinatya, Panchali and Odra-Magadhi; among which ‘Odra’ refers to Odisha.
According to historians, modern Odissi classical dance has evolved from the ‘Mahari parampara’, where women called Maharis, considered to be the spiritual brides of Lord Jagannath, performed inside the Natamandapa of the Jagannath Temple, Puri, as an intimate daily service (seva) rather than public entertainment. These temple dancers dedicated their lives to preserving this sacred art through ritual performances.
Ancient texts, inscriptions, and carvings on ancient temples and monuments of Odisha like Konark, Khandagiri, and Udaygiri caves stand testimony to the fact that Odissi dance was never just entertainment, but a form of worship, storytelling, and cultural expression.
A Dance That Stood the Test of Time
With changing times and rulers of the land, Odissi, like other traditional art forms, faced many challenges. During British rule, when temple traditions weakened, royal patronage declined, and many classical practices were discouraged or abandoned, the Mahari tradition gradually lost significance, and Odissi too came dangerously close to being forgotten.
Yet, not bowing down to the tough times, the traditional cultural expression of Odisha found a new path. Inspired by the same tradition of devotion to the lord, young boys from villages of Odisha dressed up as dancers and continued performing the devotional dance. This form of Odissi came to be known as ‘gotipua’ and further diversified to include athletic and acrobatic moves. The Gotipua dance started increasingly being performed on diverse platforms from festive occasions to general entertainment for common folk.
Revival of Classical Odissi Dance Training in Odisha
During the mid-20th century, dedicated gurus, dancers, scholars, musicians, and cultural connoisseurs worked zealously to revive this classical dance form. From ancient manuscripts to temple sculptures, and surviving Mahari tradition and Gotipua performances, they studied everything keenly to rebuild classical Odissi with its authenticity and artistic excellence.
Gurus like Kelucharan Mohapatra, Pankaj Charan Das, Deba Prasad Das, and Mayadhar Raut played a defining role in shaping the modern form of Odissi as we know it today. Through the Jayantika association formed by these Gurus and some scholars in the late 1950s, the pedagogy, costumes, and music of Odissi were standardized, and the dance travelled from the temples to the global stage with its distinct identity.
Odissi dance training in Odisha is not just about learning a dance form. It is defined by an immersive experience where every move carries a story of devotion and history, every expression conveys the purest emotion, and every performance becomes a celebration of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
Odissi - The Graceful Act of Storytelling
Unlike many classical dances that rely on symmetry and speed, Odissi stands apart with its fluid movements, lyrical expressions, and sculptural poses. Every gesture, every glance, and every step is woven beautifully to narrate stories from Indian mythology, celebrate devotion, and convey emotions that transcend language.
Odissi has many signature postures and stances that make it gracefully exclusive. The Tribhanga posture is one such famous posture where the body takes a three-bend posture with the head, torso, and hips moving independently to create flowing curves. Chauka is another square stance where weight is equally placed on the two legs in a squatting position, symbolising strength and stability.
Equally fascinating are the expressive hand gestures, known as mudras, and the art of abhinaya, where the dancers display myriad emotions like joy, longing, devotion, or sorrow, using even the slightest movement of the eyes or eyebrows. Odissi dancers narrate stories without speaking a single word. Odissi performances mainly depict stories from Geeta Govinda - a poetic masterpiece celebrating the divine love of Radha and Krishna or the Hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Dashavatar, stories dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Jagannath, or Goddess Durga.
When you watch an Odissi performance, you don’t simply witness a sequence of dance moves but watch a story unfold with all its characters and complexities in a beautiful and synchronised rhythm.
A Rich Legacy to Carry Forward
In today’s age of fleeting trends and fast-paced entertainment, Odissi is like a comforting shade that relaxes our mind, soothes our soul, and provides a treat to the eyes. As the world embraces new forms of artistic expression, preserving timeless traditions like Odissi becomes even more meaningful.
Whether you are passionate about classical dance forms or exploring a Modern dance academy in Bhubaneswar, to explore the emerging forms of performing arts, the right learning environment can help you appreciate both heritage and innovation. At IIG Arts Academy, Bhubaneswar, students are encouraged to build strong artistic foundations while exploring diverse dance forms under the guidance of experts. Because learning Odissi isn't just about mastering graceful movements; it's about Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and carrying forward a legacy that has inspired generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Odissi is one of India’s eight recognised classical dance forms and originated in Odisha. Its history is closely connected with the temples, devotional traditions, music, sculpture, and cultural heritage of the region.
Odissi is considered a classical Indian dance because it follows established principles of movement, expression, rhythm, gestures, and storytelling. Its techniques are also connected with ancient Indian performance traditions and texts such as the Natya Shastra.
Some of the most distinctive features of Odissi include the Tribhanga and Chauka postures, expressive hand gestures or mudras, graceful movements, rhythmic footwork, facial expressions, and abhinaya. These elements allow dancers to communicate stories and emotions through movement.
Odissi is a recognised classical dance form of India, while Gotipua is a traditional dance tradition of Odisha that played an important role in the development and preservation of Odissi. Gotipua performances are traditionally associated with young boys performing roles that included feminine characters and often feature athletic and acrobatic movements.
Yes. Children and beginners can learn Odissi through structured training that gradually introduces basic postures, movements, rhythm, expressions, and choreography. With regular practice and guidance from an experienced teacher, students can develop both technical skills and a deeper appreciation of Odisha’s cultural heritage.
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