Odissi Dance Performance
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Odissi is a form of Indian Temple Dance characterized by the ecstatic expression of grace and power. The Dance unifies feminine and masculine energies through fluid movement and rhythmic footwork. Odissi’s distinctive Tribhangi position, where the body is bent at three places: Knees, waist, and neck, gives this form a rounded softer movement then other Classical Indian Dance forms.
The dancer is adorned with vibrant silk costume, great amount of silver ornamentation, Goddess-like Make up, and an elaborate hair-do and head-piece. Ankle Bells are worn to accompany the musical rhythm. The music is soft and lilting, yet rhythmic and poses a trance quality. The essential instruments are the Pakhawaj drum, small cymbal, harmonium, flute, vocals, and usually a violin or a sitar or both.
Although dancing to live music is preferred, often times a dancer will dance with recorded music.
The traditional format for presenting Odissi dance resembles the construct of a Temple: commencing with an initiation dance, offering prayers to the earth, the divine, one’s teachers, and the audience; similarly to entering through the gateways of a temple. The first dance is also introducing and announcing the dancer arrival. The dance items gradually progress in intensity and expression – moving through the outer hallways towards the depth of the inner Temple. A performance always concludes with a Mokshya Dance, literally translates as salvation, alluding to the ecstasy of spiritual communion to be experienced in the heart of a Temple. A solo performance is usually between 30 minutes to an hour and will include short background information, and a description of the various dances performed.