ODISSI

Temples and Odissi dance: The archaeological evidences show the arts age and evolution. In temples like Brahmeswara and Sun Temple of Konark (Black Pagoda) the inscriptions and sculptures show the age of this art form.In 1950 's the entire dance form was revitalised based on Abhinaya Chandrika and the sculpted dance poses found in temples. As we know Jaganath Puri is the abode of Lord Jaganath or Purushotham , the lord of the universe or the supreme personality of the universe. The festivals celebrated in these temples including the RATH YATHRA have a lot of significance for popularising the dance forms. Not the least Jaideva's Gitagovindam.

ODISSI

HISTORY :Odissi dancers are found depicted in the hills of Udayagiri {near Bhubaneshwar} dating back to the 1st century B.C. Thus ODISSI being the oldest dance form there was a move to classify it as a separate classical system. As the traditional Odissi singers and musicians were very much influenced by the Hindustani concepts , they found it difficult to present the music in its original form.Had they succeeded in having ODISSI music declared to be a separate system , then it would be hard to justify calling it classical .It would have failed to achieve any level of ethnic transcendence that its enjoying today and would essentially be reduced to the level of "traditional" art form.

ODISSI

HISTORY : Getting back to the history of ODISSI , let's analyse the emergence of GOTIPUAS....during the 6th C.E.GOTIPUAS were young boys dressed as girls and were tutored by MAHARIES.The vaishnava cult during these days did not approve of dancing by women.During this period vaishnava poets composed innumerable lyrics in Oriya dedicated to Radha and Krishna.Gotipuas danced to these compositions. They stepped out of the precincts of the temples. Nartaki dance took place in the royal courts , where it was much cultivated before the British period.Devadasies were misused and came under strong attack , and Odissi dance too lost its sheen and glaze in the temples , and became unfashionable at courts.Only the remnants of GOTIPUA SCHOOL remained and the reconstruction of the style required a lot of effort.

ODISSI

As we all know GITAGOVINDAM is a lyrical treatise in which Poet Saint Jaidev has shown his mastery in music and dance along with his dauntless devotion to VISHNU.He has portrayed the science of LOVE at a totally different plane.It lends itself to be adapted to the different musical versions and dance performance.Because of its religious fervour , it was adapted by temple dancers.Originating in Orissa it has travelled to Bengal , Gujarat ,South India and even Nepal.Raga and Tala came to be assigned to these lyrics and are used for different occasions to be sung or danced.

ODISSI

GITA GOVINDA is a lyrical poetry organised in 12 chapters. Each chapter into 24 divisions{prabhandas}. The PRABHANDAS contain COUPLETS grouped into eights called ASHTAPADIS {Ashta means EIGHT}.In this lyrical treatise, Saint Jideva has shown his mastery in music and dance along with his dauntless devotion to LORD VISHNU.It lends itself to be adapted to the different musical versions and dance performance.It is because of its religious fervour , that it was adapted by the temple dancers.JAIDEVA was instrumental in popularising DASAVATHARAM , the TEN incarantions of Lord Vishnu in another compositiion DASAKRITIKRITA. The classic "TRIBHANGI" {three-fold} posture of KRISHNA playing the flute gained popularity due to him.

ODISSI

Saint Jaidev was a great poet, who lived in Orissa during the 12th century AD.He learned sanskrit with such passion and became one of the greatest poet in the same language.He was born in Kenduli Sasan {formerely Kendubilva}.This is very near to Puri.Even today , the village of Kenduli Sasan is replete with images of Madhava{Krishna}.Undoubtedly the great poet must have been influenced , by the devotional milieu in that area when he composed his magnum opus, THE GITA GOVINDA.It became very popular throughout India during a brief period of its compositiion ,perhaps it was regularly performed in the Jagannath temple of PURI.

ODISSI

The RATHYATHRA festival celebrated annually with much pomp and splendour is the high point of all the festivals, attracting lakhs of devotees and pilgrims from time immemorial.To see the LORD on the chariot on the RATHYATHRA day is to secure salvation from the cycles of birth and death.Thus the grandeur of JAGANNATH PURI must be vivid to anyone from the above description.Early Maharis performed mainly nritta(pure dance) and abhinaya(interpretation of poetry) based on mantras and slokas.Later Maharis performed dance sequences based on the lyrics of Jaidev's "GITAGOVINDA".

ODISSI

The ODISSI tradition existed in three schools : Mahari ; Nartaki and Gotipua.
Maharis were Orissan devadasies or temple girls.Their name deriving from Maha {great} and Nari{Woman}.Thus Mahri means the chosen one.This especially denotes those at the temple of Jagannath Puri.Let us peep into the grandeur of The Lord at puri who is none other than Lord Krishna in company of his brother and sister.The lord is considered as Purushotham , the Lord of the universe or the supreme personality of the universe.Also known as Dham , it is one of the Holy Kshetras of India including temples at Rameshwaram , Dwaraka and Badrinath.

ODISSI

Odissi dance has a long , but broken tradition.Although dance in Odissa{Orissa} may be traced back more than 2000 years,it was brought to near extinction during the colonial period.The modern Odissi dance is actually a reconstruction of the older form.Dancers are found depicted in the hills of Udayagiri{near Bhubaneshwar} dating back to the 1st century BC.Ihe Natya shastra speaks of the dance from this region and refers to it as Odra Magadhi.