Odissi the Dance Divine

Odissi, also called the ‘dance of the gods’, is the intrinsically passionate style of dance that grew from the traditional temple dance. It has charm, grace, lyricism and sensuousness. In the words of the noted Hungarian Indologist, Charles Fabri, it is ‘the most perfect Indian classical dance form’. Classical dance is understood to be the synthesis of body and mind because it merges physical energy with emotional and spiritual enthusiasm. India has had many forms of classical dance which have flourished, declined (under foreign influences) and have been revitalised through the ages. Odissi: The Dance Divine is a chronological survey of the form and style of the dance. The art form known today as Odissi is a descendant of the temple dance that evolved in the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Revered as one of the holiest places in India, the temple was the centre of culture, religion and artistic traditions. In the inner sanctum of this shrine, the dance of the mahari, or temple dancer, was born, which became a tradition and finds expression in the Geeta Govinda, presenting Odissi dance as a niti, or lifestyle. The book explores the aesthetics of dance, which remains a living tradition to this day. Besides, it gives the readers a brief outline of the architects and contemporary gurus of the dance, and the eminent dancers who are at the forefront of this form of dance. It was adjudged Best Book, 2007, in the Art Book Category by the Federation of Indian Publishers.