The brief history of Odissi and the Buddhist influence on this dance
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Odissi is an ancient Indian temple dance, which has clear archeological evidences of being more than 2200 years old. It originates from the state of Orissa in the North-West of India. The ancient name of the Orissa state is Kalinga. Orissa or Kalinga has been conquered by the great king Ashoka, who later established the Buddhist doctrine in the area, which lasted longest in India - until 1500 century. It is primary from Orissa, that Buddhism later spread to other Asian countries. Dance in Orissa evolved as an expression of devotion to a “Higher Being”. Both Jainism, Shaivism and Mahayana Buddhism had a strong influence on the Odissi dance. Also the Vajrayana Tantrism has strongly influenced the style of this ancient dance form. In a number of sculptural pieces and ancient paintings of the period of Buddhist influence in the area, there are found deities pictured in the Odissi-style dance forms. Among those can be mentioned Heruka holding a Khatavanga, Vajravarahi or Vajrayogini, displaying a Vajra-tarjani mudra, Marichi (Tib: Ozerchenma) and Nairatmya (Tib: Dagmema). Aparajita is displayed in a vigorous dance pose, showing the tarjani mudra with her left hand and chapetadana mudra with her right hand, in which she holds a flower. Aparajita’s other name is Sitatapatra or White Umbrella deity. |
Odissi repertoire during the Losar
1. Vasant Pallavi
Pallavi is an example of pure technical dance. Pallavi
literally means blossoming. This is applicable not only to the dance ,
but also to the music, which accompanies it. Pallavi starts with slow,
graceful and lyrical movements of the eyes, neck, torso and feet and slowly
builds in a crescendo to climax in a fast tempo at the end. Pallavi is
named after the raga it is seat to, in this case the Vasant Pallavi, where
Vasant means the Spring season.
2. Bhatu Nritya
Bhatu is a pure dance , where the dancer depicts different instruments which accompanies the dance, like Vina (sitar), Mardala (drum) Bansuri (fute) and Manjira (hand cymbals). Many poses from the temple sculpture like Darpana and Alasya are also shown with beautiful and graceful movements.
3. Lalita Lavanga
Lalita Lavanga is an Abhinaya, or expressional dance. The dancer uses hand gestures, facial expression and body movements to narrate a story or a song. Most abhinayas in Odissi are based on the Sringara Rasa or mood of Love between Lord Krsna and his favorite consort Sri Radha. Lalita Lavanga literally means a delicate flower.