Odissi - Oriya Classical dance

 Odissi - Oriya Classical dance

Odissi, the essence of the state of Orissa. Orissa is the highly inspired, impassioned, ecstatic and sensuous form of dance. Odissi was performed in the temples of Orissa as a religious rite and offering by the Devadasis known  as 'Maharis'.  Odissi is a rich and generous cultural gift of the land, well known for its dedication to religion and arts and known in the past as 'Kalinga Desha'. The people of this land raised magnificent temples, each erected as an  act of religious faith and embellished by the skills of master craftsmen, sculptures and architects. These temples became the centre of art and culture and it was here that Odissi, one of  India's scintillating dance-forms was born, nurtured and nourished.
The Odissi (Orissi) dance is the Indian classical dance from the Eastern state of Odissa. It has a long, yet broken tradition. Although dance in Odissa may be traced back more than 2000 years, it was brought to near extinction during the colonial period. Therefore, modern Odissi dance is a reconstruction.