Odissi Dance:-Much of Orissa’s ancient activities revolved around the beautiful temples that were abundant in the rural areas and the commercial centers. In the big temples, the role of dance and music in temple rituals was important enough to accord them a separate enclosure – the Natamandira- for their full development. The famous Natamandirs, beautifully embellished with figures in various poses of dance and musicians handling a variety of instruments are witness to this integral role in temple life. What also comes to light is the important revelation that the cult of the ‘devdas’ of female temple dancers was not only prevalent to the temples in central and south India,but also existed in Orissa in a highly sophisticated form. The more talented devdasis were selected for training in the secret arts of thetemple dance-Odissi-which today has become a highly stylized and elegant dance form. The annual Konark Dance festival held in the amphitheatre with the spectacular Sun Temple at the backdrop is one of the most superb expositions of this graceful temple dance. PIC1
Chhow Dance;-Folk and tribal dances comprise an important part
of Orissa’s cultural heritage. The origin of the Chhow dance is lost
in the mists of time, but its richness and vibrancy exist with enduring vigour
even today. A favorites dance of the Mayurbhanja district, chow which has
traces of tribal, folk and classical dances, appears to be a rendition of
non-verbal
theatre, with the legs and body moving flexibly to convey the themes drawn
form the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the great Indian epics. A favourite theme
in chow is Krishna and the Gopis. The core theme of the chhow dance revolves
around love, romance, chivalry and victory of good over evil. PIC1
Danda Nata (Dance) :-The performance is a day-long affair, it culminates at right in a whirl of acrobatic sequences.
Ranapa & Chaiti Ghoda Dances:-The Ranapa is danced with dancers balancing on tall bamboo poles. The Chaiti Ghoda is a festival dance of the fishing community with three central characters including a horse.
Koya Dance:-The koya women hole sticks fitted with bells (gujari) made of brass and beat on the ground while dancing. The bating of the sticks after the steppings is indigenous to the Koya dance. Male participants wear turbans fitted with bison horns and play huge drums (dhols) hung around their necks. PIC1
Folk and tribal songs and dances continue to be an integral part
of fairs and festivals and village festivities throughout the year in Orissa
visitors can see these performed in their actual settings…
