Living history in motion
Odissi is much more than a dance. It is a meditation in motion, a dance made prayer. It is originally from the Odisha temples. This discipline merges the technical precision and expression of emotions, telling sacred stories by the use of gestures, postures and intricate rhythms. It is a breathtaking feast for the senses.
Living history in motion
Odissi is much more than a dance. It is a meditation in motion, a dance made prayer. It is originally from the Odisha temples. This discipline merges the technical precision and expression of emotions, telling sacred stories by the use of gestures, postures and intricate rhythms. It is a breathtaking feast for the senses.
Odissi, from the temples
to the classroom
Temple dance
Odissi is a physical manifestation of devotion, traced back over 2000 years. Its graceful postures, sharp curves and flowing yet vigorous movements are reminiscent of the sculptures that bedeck the temples in India. They tell the stories of the Gods, once performed by the maharis.
Rhythm and expression
In Odissi dance, the movements are linked to the rhythm of the music and to the expressive narration by gestures and movements. The rhythmic foot patterns (bol), the hand gestures (mudras) and the facial expression (abhinaya) create a powerful communication between the dancer and her spirit, and between her spirit and the audience.
MEDITATION IN MOTION
The Odissi dance is an art form of deep commitment. The dancer performs the stories of the Gods, passed on by the great teachers as repertoires. Closely related to the Gods Jagannath and Krishna (through chowka and tribhunga postures), this dance form narrates the legends and myths from Indian culture. Therefore, the dance becomes an act of offering, a connection between body and spirit. This way, the ‘personal creation’ is left behind, and the body is placed at the service of the dance.
Beauty, discipline and feeling
Odissi requires skill and resistance. On the other side, it invites one to feel each movement rooted in emotions and the connection with the story that is being performed. It is a perfect balance, and it gives the opportunity to discover India’s living history thanks to a classical art form.
Dive into the magic of Odissi
Throughout the year, I share my fascination for this dance on stage, at workshops and festivals in different parts of the world. Each gathering is a unique opportunity to continue exploring and passing on this cultural richness and beauty.
Begin your Odissi dance journey
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