Western Odisha
Sambalpuri
A joyful folk dance from the Sambalpur region of western Odisha, danced in groups to lively Sambalpuri songs and the beat of folk drums. Bright, rhythmic and full of community spirit.
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- The Art of Odissi
Poetry in sculpture
The art of Odissi
Odisha, the land of Utkal, is celebrated for its excellence in art, music, dance and sculpture. Its classical dance, Odissi, holds a unique place among the classical dances of India: sculpted, lyrical and devotional.
The classical danceof Odisha, India
- HomelandOdisha (Utkal), India
- RootsTemple dance of the Maharis
- SignatureThe tribhangi posture
- RecitalFive stages of the Margam
Origins
Born in the temples of Odisha
Odissi in its contemporary form owes its origin to the temple dance of the Maharis in the Jagannath Temple, and to the Gotipuas, the boy dancers of Odisha.
Its roots reach further still. The Udra, or Odra, dance style delineated in ancient treatises of music constitutes the basis of Odissi. Down the centuries the form evolved through many phases, and today it holds an enviable place among the leading classical dances of India.
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The treatises
The Udra style
Delineated in ancient treatises of music, the Udra (Odra) style forms the basis of Odissi.
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The temple
The Maharis
Devadasis whose dance was an offering in the Jagannath Temple.
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The young dancers
The Gotipuas
Boy dancers whose tradition, with the Maharis’, shaped Odissi as it is danced today.
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Today
A classical form
Evolved through the centuries into one of India’s leading classical dances.
The Language of Odissi
A vocabulary of grace
Graceful gestures and expressive portrayals give Odissi its special character. These are the elements every dancer learns to speak, one class at a time.
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Tribhangi
The threefold bend
Head, torso and hips curve in opposing directions: a unique posture whose perfect expression lives in Odishan sculpture.
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Chauka
The square stance
A grounded, symmetrical square with knees bent and arms held wide. With the tribhangi, it is one of the two basic postures of Odissi.
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Hastamudra
The language of the hands
Subtle, symbolic hand gestures that paint images, ideas and feelings in the air.
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Bhramari
The swirl
Graceful turns and subtle swirls, described in classical literature, that lend the dance its flow and lightness.
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Footwork
The rhythm of the feet
Delicate, precise footwork in conversation with the drum, the ankle bells marking every beat.
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Abhinaya
The art of expression
Storytelling through the eyes, face and gesture, bringing poetry, character and devotion to life.
The Meaning of Our Name
Alapadma:
the fully bloomed lotus
In Odissi, Alapadma is the hasta of the fully bloomed lotus. The fingers open and curve apart, like petals unfolding to the morning sun.
It is the spirit of our academy. Every dancer begins as a bud, and with tradition, patient training and devotion, blossoms in their own time.
- Tradition Rooted in heritage
- Training Step by step, with care
- Transformation Dance as conscious living
The Margam
Five stages, one offering
An Odissi recital is completed in five stages, a path that leads from invocation to liberation. Here is each stage, with the items from our repertoire.
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Stage I · The invocation
Mangalacharan
An invocatory dance that opens the recital. The dancer offers salutations to the earth, the divine, the Guru and the audience, setting an auspicious tone for all that follows.
Based on
- Shiva Giitis
- Krishna Giitis
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Stage II · A signature of the style
Sthayee
A unique item conceived and choreographed by Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das, and a hallmark of the style in which Alapadma teaches.
“Every dance presentation of mine bears testimony to the uniqueness of the Odissi style improvised by Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das.”
Purnima -
Stage III · The blossoming
Pallavi
Pure dance that blossoms with a raga. Eyes, neck, torso and feet weave ever more intricate patterns as music and movement unfold together.
Pallavis in our repertoire
- Kalyan
- Sankarabharan
- Kafi
- Basanta
- Kalavati
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Stage IV · Expression
Abhinaya
Storytelling through expression. Each line of poetry is sung and brought alive through hasta, glance and bhava, the dancer becoming every character in turn.
Poetry and song
- Geeta Govinda
- Traditional Odissi songs
Mythological themes
- Astasambhu
- Navarasa
- Durga Stuti
- Bala Gopalastaka
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Stage V · Liberation
Mokshya
The finale. Pure dance gathers speed and intricacy, then dissolves into stillness: an offering of the self, and the joy of liberation that completes the recital.
Folk Dances of Odisha
Rhythms of the land
Purnima’s own training at RAWA Academy began at the age of six with both Odissi and folk dance. Alongside the classical items, our repertoire includes two folk dances of Odisha.
Devotion & ritual
Danda
A traditional folk dance of Odisha rooted in ritual and devotion. Carried by song and the steady beat of drums, it is offered as part of seasonal festivals and community worship.
Adornment & Music
Adorned in silver, carried by song
Unique costumes and hairstyle, and melodious music with instrumental accompaniment, lend Odissi its special beauty.
The adornment
The tahia
The white, flower-like crown that frames the hair and glows under the stage lights.
Alta
A red dye that outlines the hands and feet, so every mudra and every step is clearly seen.
Silver jewellery
Delicate silver ornaments for the forehead, ears, neck, arms and waist, catching the light with each movement.
Handwoven silk
Costumes made from the silk sarees of Odisha, with patterned borders and a pleated fan that opens in every deep bend.
The music
Odissi is danced to the melodies of Odissi music, traditionally sung and played live. A singer leads, while the instruments give the dance its rhythm and colour.
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Mardala
The barrel-shaped drum whose voice is the heartbeat of Odissi.
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Flute
A breath of melody that floats above the song.
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Violin
A singing line that follows and colours the voice.
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Cymbals
Small hand cymbals that keep the time.
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Ankle bells
The dancer’s own instrument, sounding every step.
Your journey begins here
Let your Odissi bloom
From the first chauka to the full Margam, learn the classical dance of Odisha in the lineage of Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das and Guru Shri Bharat Charan Giri.