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Nishagandhi Festival 2014

Odissi - Rina Jana & Group

The Nishagandhi is all set to bloom again. For seven evenings starting 20th January, the exotic fragrance of classical Indian dance and music will permeate the cool balmy air of Kanakakkunnu and give new life to Thiruvananthapuram, the land of Lord Anantha. Come, join this celebration of art.
Seven magical evenings embellished with swara, raga and laya. Seven evenings that showcases the beauty and grandeur of Indian classical dance and music. Seven evenings that celebrates the beauty and rhythm of life.

On 21/01/2014 Tuesday , Rina Jana, one of the senior disciples of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, will perform Odissi. Musical fusion by Rahul Sharma and group will follow.

Odissi (or Orissi) is the traditional style of dance which originated in the temples of the state of Orissa in Eastern India, where it was performed by the devadasis.

Odissi, also known as Orissi (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ oṛiśī), is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Odisha, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classic treatise of Indian dance, Natya Shastra, refers to it as Odra-Magadhi. 1st century BCE bas-reliefs in the hills of Udaygiri (near Bhubaneswar) testify to its antiquity. It was suppressed under the British Raj, but has been reconstructed since India gained independence. It is particularly distinguished from other classical Indian dance forms by the importance it places upon the Tribhangi (literally: three parts break), the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis and upon the basic square stance known as Chauka or Chouka that symbolises Lord Jagannath. This dance is characterised by various Bhangas (Stance), which involves stamping of the foot and striking various postures as seen in Indian sculptures. The common Bhangas are Bhanga, Abanga, Atibhanga and Tribhanga.

The current form of Odissi is the product of a 20th century revival.