Odissi
The sculptures in the temples of Brahmeswara, Sun Temple at Konark, may not be living, but indeed they have kept alive the oldest survivng dance forms of India, Odissi dance. It was as late as in the 1950s with AbhinayaChandrika's perseverance, that the dance form could be revived back to its original glory and fame. This Indian classical dance is based on the Natya Sashtra and it can be traced back to 2nd Century BC. No longer does it grace the temple walls of Puri Jagannath temple, Konark Sun Temple and so on, alone. Odissi is one the most widely performed and practiced Indian classical dance in the entire world.
Odissi as we know it today is the result of a long process of reconstruction from various dance traditions of Orissa - the Maharis, the Gotipuas and the Bandha traditions. Goti puas are young boys who dress as themselves as female dancers and thrill the audience with their agile acrobatic movements.
Kalicharan Pattanayaka, a pioneer in the struggle for survival of Odissi dance encouraged Odissi artists to be on the stage. With help from Abhinaya Chandrika and the sculptures on the temple walls, Odissi gradually began to tae a more fined classical form. Mudras and expressions began to be defined with greater perfection. Postures that are unique to this Indian classical dance, like the tribhangi, chouka, the tradional hand gestures began to be defined. Odissi dance was performed to the lilting melodies of the tradional Orissi raagas, stylistically different from the Hindusthani or the Carnatic genres.
The verses of the Sanskrit play Geet Govinda by Jayadevthatare used to depict the love and devotion to God, are the most popular pieces for an abhinaya. Songs written by poets, Banamali, Upendra Bhanja, Baladeva Rath, Gopala and other Oriya poets are also sang. The pure raagas and tradional taalas give the perfect musical backdrop thew the vigorous Pallavis, Botu Nritya. While the dance begins with Mangalacharan and Bhoomi pranam, or worship of Mother Earth on whose bosom the dancer strikes her feet, a recital culminates with the Moksha. Moksha is the Divine Union of the soul with the divine, which is the ultimate aim of any classical Indian artform.
The most graceful feature of Odissi dance is the soft circular movement of the hand, head and torso, depicting the roundness of the Konark wheel or Sri Jagannath Deva's eyes.
Odissi dance has reached its present stature due to the tireless effort of Padmabhusan Kelu Charan Mahapatra, winner of Kalidas Samman, Padmashree Pankaj Charan Das and Deba Prasad Das. Other renowned artists of Odissi Dance include Priyambada Hejmadi, Padmashree Sanjukta Panigrahi, Minati Mishra, Kumkum Mohanty, Oopalie Oparajita, Sonal Mansingh,Sangeeta Das, Madhavi Mudgal and many others.
Odissi is a vibrant artform that is undergoing constant evolution and experimentation. Odissi is extremely popular as an Indian classical dance all over the world, and has scope for much more innovations in the years to come.