Odissi, spelled also Orissi, is among the eight Indian classical dance forms and for its lyrical beauty, sculptural postures, and deep spiritual origin. Odissi originated in the state of Odisha and is more than a dance, being a living form of faith, myth, and tradition that goes back centuries. Odissi ranks among the oldest living classical dance forms of India, tracing its origins more than 2,000 years back.

Ancient Origins
Odissi originated from temple rituals, specifically those done as a service of offering to Lord Jagannath at the renowned temple at Puri, Odisha. Traditionally, the dance was done by Maharis (female temple dancers) within the sanctum sanctorum as an act of "seva" or devotional service. Subsequently, male dancers in the form of Gotipuas—who performed dressed as women—carried on the tradition once performances began outside the temples.

Statues from ancient temples like Konark Sun Temple and Lingaraj Temple illustrate numerous poses and movements used in Odissi, attesting to its strong foundation in Indian heritage.

Unique Features
What distinguishes Odissi from the other classical dances is its elegant, flowing movements accompanied by accurate footwork and facial expressions. Some of the typical features of Odissi are:

Tribhangi posture: A characteristic stance where the body is divided into three bends—at the head, torso, and knee—making a serpentine and gracious line.

Chauka: Square-like posture depicting strength and masculinity, commonly found in images of Lord Jagannath.

Mudras: Hand gestures employed to narrate stories and express emotions.

Abhinaya: Emotional storytelling using facial expressions and gestures, usually performed to devotional poetry.

Odissi is performed to Odia music, which draws from both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. The rhythm, melody, and the words all come together to give the performance an emotional finish.

Themes and Stories
The themes of Odissi are devoted to bhakti and majorly based on the stories of Lord Jagannath, Radha-Krishna love stories, and great composition of poetics like Jayadeva, especially his Gita Govinda.

The dance is a spiritual pilgrimage, most commonly portraying the soul's yearning for union with the divine. Through expressive narrative, the dancer then serves as a vessel for the audience to partake of these sacred stories.

Costumes and Music
Odissi dancers don bright silk sarees, usually in sacred temple colors such as red, orange, and purple, with silver ornaments, a maang tika, and a large headpiece symbolizing the temple tower. The use of makeup emphasizes the eyes and eyebrows to highlight expressions.

The music used is usually mardala (drum), flute, violin, and harmonium, providing a melodic setting that adds to the mood and rhythm of the dance.

The Revival and Global Reach
Under the British colonial era, Odissi, as with most classical arts, experienced erosion and disuse. But post-independence India saw a cultural renewal, and Odissi was revived and codified by zealous gurus like:

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Deba Prasad Das

Guru Pankaj Charan Das

Guru Mayadhar Raut

These trailblazers contributed to establishing the technique, repertoire, and instructional approaches, thereby assuring the perpetuation of Odissi for generations to come.

Now, Odissi is taught and performed not only in India but all over the world. Odissi has been adopted by dance schools in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia, and foreign students frequently travel to Odisha to learn from their traditional gurus.

A Living Tradition
Odissi is not merely performance—it's a holy ritual, a moving meditation. It's a blending of spirituality, discipline, and artistry, distilling the best of Indian spiritual and aesthetic principles. On a temple floor or in a contemporary theater, Odissi still captivates with its beauty, richness, and ageless beauty.

Being one of India's finest cultural exports, Odissi both honors the past and inspires the future.