Odissi – The Classical Soul of Odisha and Devotion to Lord Jagannath

🕉️ Introduction to Odissi Dance

Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India, originating from the sacred land of Odisha, with its spiritual epicenter at Puri and the Jagannath Temple. It is India’s oldest surviving classical dance, with archaeological and literary evidence dating back over 2,000 years.

Marked by fluid grace, divine expressiveness (bhava), and spiritual storytelling, Odissi is not just performance art—it is a form of meditation and devotion, deeply intertwined with the worship of Lord Jagannath.

History & Origins of Odissi

📜 Ancient Roots

Earliest evidence: Sculptures of Odissi postures (tribhangi and chowk) appear in Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, and Konark temples, dating to 2nd century BCE.
Found in Natyashastra and Abhinaya Darpana, ancient treatises on dance and expression.
The Maharis (temple dancers) performed Odissi in temples as an offering to deities, especially Lord Jagannath.

Devadasi/Mahari Tradition

Women known as Mahris or Devadasis were dedicated to temple service.
They danced daily before the deity as part of seva (service) at Jagannath Temple, Puri.
Their dance was a blend of ritual, storytelling, and spiritual surrender.

Gotipua Tradition

When the Mahari tradition declined due to colonial and sociopolitical changes, young boys dressed as women—Gotipuas—preserved the dance.
Gotipua schools became the bridge between temple rituals and stage performances.
Many Odissi gurus were originally Gotipua dancers.

Odissi Dance as an Artform

Key Features of Odissi

Element	Description
Posture	Tribhangi (three bends) and Chowk (square stance)
Style	Graceful, lyrical, circular, flowing – in contrast to linear forms like Bharatanatyam
Components	Mangalacharan, Batu, Pallavi, Abhinaya, Moksha
Facial Expressions	Abhinaya (expression through eyes, eyebrows, hands)
Music	Based on Odissi classical music (distinct from Hindustani & Carnatic)
Costume	Brightly colored silk sarees with silver jewelry, waistbands, and alta (red dye) on hands/feet

🎶 Music

Based on Odissi Raga system, distinct from other Indian classical genres
Instruments: Mardala (percussion), Bansuri, Violin, Manjira, Tanpura

🛕 Relationship with Lord Jagannath & Puri

🌸 Odissi is an offering to Lord Jagannath

Odissi evolved as part of Jagannath Temple rituals in Puri.
Dance sequences often narrate Krishna Leela, Dasavatara, or Bhakti poems by Jayadeva, Banamali, and Upendra Bhanja.
Even today, Ananda Nrutya and Gotipua dances are performed in Jagannath temple rituals during Chandan Yatra, Snana Purnima, and Rath Yatra.
The Bada Deula (Jagannath Temple) remains a spiritual anchor for Odissi dancers.

Famous Gurus of Odissi Dance (Revival Era)

Guru	Contribution
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra	Father of Modern Odissi, Padma Vibhushan awardee, refined stage repertoire
Guru Pankaj Charan Das	Mahari tradition specialist, choreographer of temple rituals
Guru Deba Prasad Das	Integrated tribal & folk elements into Odissi
Guru Mayadhar Raut	Structured the theoretical basis using Natya Shastra
Guru Gangadhar Pradhan	Founder of Konark Natya Mandap, promoter of festivals like Konark Dance Festival

Renowned Odissi Dancers (Modern)

Name	Notable Facts
Sonal Mansingh	Padma Vibhushan awardee, brought Odissi to national stage
Sanjukta Panigrahi	Iconic exponent, recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi award
Ileana Citaristi	Italian-born Odissi dancer, trained under Kelucharan Mohapatra
Aruna Mohanty	Renowned soloist, choreographer, Padma Shri awardee
Sujata Mohapatra	Leading global performer, disciple and daughter-in-law of Guru Kelucharan

Famous Odissi Dance Institutions

1. Utkal University of Culture – Bhubaneswar

Govt. University for classical arts
Offers BFA, MFA, Ph.D. in Odissi
Website: www.uuc.ac.in

2. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre – Bhubaneswar

State-run center promoting training, research, and performances
Affiliated with leading gurus
Website: https://odissidance.org

3. Srjan (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Foundation)

Founded by Sujata Mohapatra and Ratikant Mohapatra
Offers professional Odissi training globally
Website: www.srjan.com

4. Orissa Dance Academy – Bhubaneswar

Founded by Aruna Mohanty
Hosts national & international events
Website: www.orissadanceacademy.org

5. Konark Natya Mandap – Konark

Established by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan
Major center for folk-classical training and festivals
Hosts Konark Festival annually

Odissi on the Global Stage

Odissi is now taught and performed across USA, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Cultural troupes represent Odisha in India Festivals abroad, ICCR programs, and international festivals.
Odissi has inspired fusion with ballet, theater, and visual art.
Recognized by UNESCO as part of India’s intangible cultural heritage.

Major Odissi Dance Festivals

Festival	Venue	Month
Konark Dance Festival	Konark Temple	December
Mukteswar Dance Festival	Mukteswar Temple, Bhubaneswar	January
Rajarani Music & Dance Festival	Bhubaneswar	February
Odissi International	Srjan, Bhubaneswar	December
Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav	Dhauli Peace Pagoda	February

Why Odissi Matters Today

Preserves the soul of Odisha’s cultural identity
Connects devotion and discipline, art and spirituality
Empowers female and male performers from rural, tribal, and global backgrounds
Teaches timeless values: Grace, Resilience, Bhakti (devotion), and Rasa (aesthetic experience)

Feature	Detail
Origin	Odisha, 2nd century BCE
Temple Association	Jagannath Temple, Puri
Core Postures	Tribhangi, Chowk
Training Centers	Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark
Government Support	Utkal University, Research Centre, ICCR, SNA
Famous Gurus	Kelucharan Mohapatra, Pankaj Charan Das
Global Reach	USA, Europe, Asia, UNESCO-acknowledged
Best Time to Witness	Dec–Feb (festival season in Odisha)