Odissi - Repertoire

Odissi like all classical dances of India is divided into nritta (pure dance) and abhinaya (drama). An Odissi begins with a show of obeisance to the earth with a sequence known as the bhumi pranam . This is followed by an invocation sequence known as the bighnaraja puja which is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

The recital is begun with a sequence known as the batu nritya which is the most difficult sequence in Odissi. The dancer begins with the chowka and as the tempo rises moves through a series of intricate movements. This sequence is the dancer's attempt to weave patterns to a tala (metrical cycle). This sequence is then followed by an invocatory composition known as the ista devata vandana which the dancers dedicate to a God of their choice. The dancer chooses the relevant poem and the movements executed convey a bit about the various characteristics of the God. The dancer then moves into the swara pallavi in which pure melody is introduced into the recital which the dancer

displays through various movements. These could simply be notes on a musical scale or parts of a raga . This is a nritta sequence with emphasis on gestures made with the hands and is usually executed in a slow tempo.

The recital then proceeds into either the gitabhinaya or sa-abhinaya nritta . A poetic line is now sung to the tune of the music and the dancer attempts to interpret and display to the audience the meaning. The dancer has tremendous scope with words, often they have multiple meanings. Good dancers are judged by their ability to bring out the different meanings of the same word. The dance eventually ends with an abstract design, with portions of nritta and rhythm woven together.

The dances are based on a wide range of literary work, like the Vaishnavite (worshippers of Lord Krishna) and Bhakti literature, Jayadeva's "Geetagovinda" being one of them.

Odissi like all classical dances of India is divided into nritta (pure dance) and abhinaya (drama). An Odissi begins with a show of obeisance to the earth with a sequence known as the bhumi pranam . This is followed by an invocation sequence known as the bighnaraja puja which is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

The recital is begun with a sequence known as the batu nritya which is the most difficult sequence in Odissi. The dancer begins with the chowka and as the tempo rises moves through a series of intricate movements. This sequence is the dancer's attempt to weave patterns to a tala (metrical cycle). This sequence is then followed by an invocatory composition known as the ista devata vandana which the dancers dedicate to a God of their choice. The dancer chooses the relevant poem and the movements executed convey a bit about the various characteristics of the God. The dancer then moves into the swara pallavi in which pure melody is introduced into the recital which the dancer displays through various movements. These could simply be notes on a musical scale or parts of a raga . This is a nritta sequence with emphasis on gestures made with the hands and is usually executed in a slow tempo.

The recital then proceeds into either the gitabhinaya or sa-abhinaya nritta . A poetic line is now sung to the tune of the music and the dancer attempts to interpret and display to the audience the meaning. The dancer has tremendous scope with words, often they have multiple meanings. Good dancers are judged by their ability to bring out the different meanings of the same word. The dance eventually ends with an abstract design, with portions of nritta and rhythm woven together.

The dances are based on a wide range of literary work, like the Vaishnavite (worshippers of Lord Krishna) and Bhakti literature, Jayadeva's "Geetagovinda" being one of them.