Odissi is one of the most elegant classical dance styles of India based on the feminine style of dancing known as Lasya, hailing from Orissa. Prevailing for more than 2,000 years, evidence proves that Odissi existed in the 2nd century, but over the centuries went through various stages of both progression and regression like other classical dances of India. Through the medium of varied movements and expressions, different stories of Hindu mythology are portrayed, particularly Vaishnavism. Nevertheless, stories from other religions are also interpreted in Odissi. Hence, Odissi is a fine representation of secularism and spiritualism.
Evolution and History
Odishee (original name) archeological sites related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism and the carvings of dance and music in the Manchapuri Cave in Udayagiri, reveal that Odissi existed in the 1st to 2nd century during the reign of Jain king Kharavela. Hathigumpha inscriptions further ascertain the fact of the existence of this lyrical and graceful classical dance of India.
The “Shilpa prakasha”, Odia architecture and sculptures at the Lord Jagannath Temple, the Konark Temple with a “nritya mandapa”, the Brahmeshwara temple in Bhubaneshwar, are other evidences of the Odissi form. The 8th century saw the emergence of the saint composer and philosopher Shankaracharya, and in the 12th century, the saint-composer Jayadeva wrote the immortal classic Geet Govinda which is considered the mainstay of Odissi repertoire.
Odissi dancers were referred to as Maharis (devadasis). The dancers used to perform inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and there were other dancers who danced in the temple courtyards and further moved on to rich landlords and palaces, hence the degradation of dance started for which not only the dancers but also the society is responsible. Alongside, the traditional emergence of Gotipua (boy dancers) prevailed wherein young boys danced dressed as girls.
Technique and music
Like other classical dance styles, Odissi is also based on the text of dance and dramaturgy, Bharata Muni’s Natya Sastra and Nandikesvaroa’s Abhinaya Darpana. Natya Sastra mentions four vrittis (methods of expressive delivery) in vogue like Avanti, Dakshinatya, Panchali and Odra-Magadhi. Odra refers to Odissi. The Odissi technique comprises various bhangas (symmetry body bends), torso deflections and hand movements. It all starts, with the chauka (basic stance) followed by other movements in different rhythmic beats. Broadly, Odissi can be divided into two sections: movements known as pure dance and abhinaya (expressional dancing). Students start learning at an early age as it is not easy to master this art of geometrical symmetry and stylized movements.
Classical and folk music with Odia lyrics forms the music with raags like Kalyana, Nata, Baradi, Karnata, Bhairavi, Saveri, etc., are used. Musical composers like Jayadeva, Dinakrisha Dasa, Kabi Samrata, Upendra Bhanja, Banmali Dasa and Kavichandra Kalicharan Patnaik form the mainstay of the Odissi repertoire.
The performance normally begins with an invocation to Lord Jagannath known as Mangalacharan, followed with a rhythmic pure dance item known as Pallavi, a fine combination of rhythm, music and melody, Abhinaya numbers like Dashaavataram, Ashtapadis from Geet Govinda, and finally Moksham, that symbolises the union of the human soul (jeevatma) with divine soul (parmatma).
Pioneer mentors and repertoire
The pioneer mentors of Odissi are Kelucharan Mohapatra, Gangadhar Pradhan, Pankaj Charan Das and Raghunath Dutta, top dancers like Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Ragini Devi, placed Odissi on the international platform followed with Dr Priyambada Mohanty, Laxmipriya Mohapatra and Kum Kum Mohanty and Kasturi Pattnaik further enhanced the repertoire by increasing the numbers with new choreographic items. Sharon Lowen from America and Illeana Citaristi from Italy are recognized as devoted performers.
Some of the professional dancers from Mumbai are Jhelum Paranjape, Daksha Mashruwala, Shubhada Varadkar and Debi Basu. Young talented dancers include Madhur Gupta, Vinod Kevin Bachan (disciple of Padmashri Ranjana Gauhar), Ankur Balal and Debasis Patnaik.
Credit : Guru Vijay Shanker (The Teenager Today)
Picture Credit : Google
