Pada means ‘foot’ in Sanskrit. The meaning of the word ‘bheda’ is ‘distinguish’. In this post, I am going to list the different feet positions in the Classical Indian Odissi Dance: Pada Veda Odissi Dance

Just like the single and both hands mudras are generally used in all the Indian Classical Dances, the padas are exclusive of the Odissi Dance.

They were named and described by the gurus, who identified the most commonly used positions in our dance. This happened during the “classicalization” process of the dance, after the British were expelled from India (if you are interested in this story, read more here). 
The padas are of high importance in Odissi, since they are a fundamental part of our practice. They shape the rest of the body, they follow the rhythm and the tempo, both in choreographies and exercises.

These are the basic foot positions to be learnt at an early stage in the practical study of Odissi, as generally approved by the Gurus.

From THE ODISSI PATH FINDER

• Bhumi Steeta Leena Pada
• Addi Paada
• Yugma Paada
• Biparitamukha Paada
• Kumbha Paada
• Dhanu Paada
• Phustadhanu Paada
• Maha Paada
• Phushta Maha Paada
• Ekka Paada 
• Meena Puncha Paada
• Ashrita Paada
• Lolita Paada
• Uttolita Paada
• Ullolita Paada
• Jungashreeta Paada
• Nandyabruta Paada
• Janushrita Paada
• Nupura Paada
• Suchi Paada
• Kunchita Paada
• Thrashya Paada / Tribhanga Paada
• Bilagna Parshnee Paada
• Utparshnee Paada
• Paschya Tudha Urdha Mukhi Paada
• Anukunchita Paada
• Gharshita Paada
• Pratyalidha Paada
• Alidha Paada
• Bandhani Paada
• Ardha Chouka Paada
• Chouka Paada
• Mandaa Paada
• Swastika Paada
• Ardhaswastika Paada
• Rekha Paada

Shall we train together?