Traditions & Practices

Odissi

Odissi dance is the typical classical dance form of Orissa and has its origin in the temples. The rhythm, the 'bhangis' and 'mudras' (artistic postures) used in Odissi dance have a distinctive quality of their own. Odissi dance deals largely with the love theme of Lord Radha and Lord Krishna. This dance tradition was kept alive by the 'Devadasis'. Those who were attached to the Jagannath Temple were all Vaishnavitcs and those at Bhubaneswar were attached to Shaivite temples. Before the introduction of the Gitagovinda in temples, the devadasi used to dance to the recitation of hymns and bols of talas. But after Gitagovinda became part and parcel of the rituals, then devadasis performed the dance with different 'bhavas' and 'rasas' (emotions)

Oppana

Oppana is a dance form practised by Muslim women of the Malabar region of Kerala, especially the northern districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur. It usually forms part of the wedding festivities. The bride is decked in her bridal clothes and ornaments and is seated while her female friends and relatives, numbering around 15, sing songs and dance around her to the accompaniment of clapping and musical instruments like harmonium and tabla. A leader sings the songs and the rest act as the chorus. The dance is characterized by its simple but graceful steps. The theme of the songs, called mappilapattu, is the teasing of the bride about marital bliss, bridal aspirations and emotions.

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