Odissi Dance Repertoire

Odissi Dance performance traditionally consists of 5 types of dances.
The dances range from 'Nritta' (pure dance) to 'Nritya' (expressional dance), and are a fusion of 'lassya' (feminine and fluid) and 'Tandava' (masculine and intense).

In ancient times different dances styles were used for different rituals, according to the time of the day/month/year, and the type of ceremony.

The mardal (pakhawaj) drum, manjira, harmonium, flute, sitar and violin traditionally accompany Odissi Dance.

The following are brief descriptions of the different types of Odissi Dance.

Mangala charana
A traditional invocation performed at the beginning of a performance, offering prayers of gratitude to the Earth, the Divine, one's teachers, and the audience.

Sthayi or Batu
Literally means "statue".  An Odissi Dance piece portraying the elegant dancers and musicians carved into the stone walls of tantric temples throughout South India.

Pallavi
Pure dance, based on a musical raga. Pallavi dances are characterized by the subtle nuance of technical precision and pure movement. Graceful, fluid, and sensual, these dances portray elements of nature, and communicate the inner emotions of daily life.

Abhinaya
Literally means "action". These dances often form the largest part of an Odissi performance. These are usually longer dance pieces that involve intricate theatrical expressions that tell the stories of Hindu mythology.

Moksha
Literally means "liberation". The culmination of an evening of Odissi symbolizes the richness of a life well lived. These closing dances are an ecstatic embodiment of the spiritual freedom that results from living true and full. Combining fast-tempo movement with emotional intensity, Moksha serves as a closing prayer performed at the end of the night.