The evidence of Odissi dance dates back to the 2 nd century as seen in the wall scriptures of the Kandigiri caves near Bhubhneshwar. Interestingly the famous dancing girl statue discovered at the Harappan excavations is in ‘tribhaga’ position, which is the basic posture of Odissi. Hence some historians argue that odissi was the first dance form of India and not Bharatnatyam as is popularly believed.
‘Abhinaya chandrika’ the eternal work on dance describes Odissi as ‘bhava pradhan’, ‘hasya pradhan’ and ‘madhurta’, which means Odissi as a dance form is gentle, graceful with lots of ‘abhinaya’. Odissi dance also depicts the ‘bhangis’ and the beautiful postures immortalized in the sculptures of the sun temple at Konark.
Sadly up till recently odissi dance had lost its foundation adulterated by acrobatic movements and circus tricks. The ‘gotipua’ dancers were the only form of original odissi that was left.
Luckily at the beginning of the century many young odissi exponents realized that something had to be done to revive the dance. One of those pioneers was Guru Mayadhar Raut.
Guru Raut had studied under Smt Rukmini Arundale at Kalashetra in Madras; now called Chennai. Guru Raut brought in the use of deft mudras, polished the footwork and along with three of the leading gurus of the time formed Jayantika which finally regained Odissi’s classical status.
On the may 11, 12, 13 a special function will be held by the Guru Mayadhar Raut school of Odissi Dance as a salutation to the age of Guru Shishya -Parampara. Dancers like Madhumita Raut (odissi), Shalu Jindal (Kuchipudi) among others would be performing.
In a world fascinated by remixes and magi noodles there still is hope for the revival of the rich culture and heritage of India till Guru’s ;like Mayadhar Raut are around.
Contributed by
Dr Priyanka
Student Guru Mayadhar Raut School of odissi Dance
‘Abhinaya chandrika’ the eternal work on dance describes Odissi as ‘bhava pradhan’, ‘hasya pradhan’ and ‘madhurta’, which means Odissi as a dance form is gentle, graceful with lots of ‘abhinaya’. Odissi dance also depicts the ‘bhangis’ and the beautiful postures immortalized in the sculptures of the sun temple at Konark.
Sadly up till recently odissi dance had lost its foundation adulterated by acrobatic movements and circus tricks. The ‘gotipua’ dancers were the only form of original odissi that was left.
Luckily at the beginning of the century many young odissi exponents realized that something had to be done to revive the dance. One of those pioneers was Guru Mayadhar Raut.
Guru Raut had studied under Smt Rukmini Arundale at Kalashetra in Madras; now called Chennai. Guru Raut brought in the use of deft mudras, polished the footwork and along with three of the leading gurus of the time formed Jayantika which finally regained Odissi’s classical status.
On the may 11, 12, 13 a special function will be held by the Guru Mayadhar Raut school of Odissi Dance as a salutation to the age of Guru Shishya -Parampara. Dancers like Madhumita Raut (odissi), Shalu Jindal (Kuchipudi) among others would be performing.
In a world fascinated by remixes and magi noodles there still is hope for the revival of the rich culture and heritage of India till Guru’s ;like Mayadhar Raut are around.
Contributed by
Dr Priyanka
Student Guru Mayadhar Raut School of odissi Dance
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