#odissi

Now that’s that and then there is the binge watching addiction. Admit it, you do it too!

I don’t usually struggle with it, only when once in a while I discover a series where I then decide to catch up on the missed out 8, 16 or now… 25 seasons 🤦‍♀️

Then watching something non stop becomes a crutch, an emotional stabilizator, you outsource your difficult to handle emotions to the characters who have it much worse then you.

And then you simply struggle in the fog of your own life when their emotions are not running.

So it almost became a project for me to finish the catch up and answer all unanswered questions about the series as soon as possible and today was the first day of being free of the “obligation” to watch it.

While it’s freeing, the withdrawal effects started to show… so I wonder, with what should I fill the void?

And here I have my monthly TM catchup and my teacher introduces me to Vedic music.

I remember the shruti ragas from my school time.

They heal, they stabilize, they entirely eliminate my somatic stress response…

I am grateful for these manifestations leading me to better health 🙏

Classical dance poses for girls beautifully combine grace, discipline, and storytelling. Whether you're learning Bharatanatyam, Kathak, or Odissi, mastering foundational poses is essential. Start with basic steps like Araimandi (half-sitting posture), which builds balance and strength. Move into hand gestures (mudras) such as Alapadma and Katakamukha to express emotions and narratives.

Focus on posture—keep your spine straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin lifted. Practice slow transitions between poses to develop fluidity. Regular mirror practice helps correct alignment and improve confidence. Beginners should start with simple sequences and gradually move to advanced expressions and footwork patterns.

Odissi is one of India’s most graceful and culturally rich classical dance forms. Originating from Odisha, it is known for its fluid movements, sculptural poses, expressive storytelling, and spiritual depth. What makes Odissi truly special is the way it blends technique, devotion, rhythm, and emotion into one beautiful art form.

Today, many students are discovering traditional arts through online dance classes, and Odissi has become a popular choice for learners who want to explore Indian classical dance with meaning and discipline.

The History of Odissi Dance

Odissi is considered one of the oldest classical dance traditions in India. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Odisha, where dance was closely connected with temple culture and devotion. Sculptures in historic temples such as Konark beautifully reflect the same curved body positions and elegant movements that still define Odissi today.

This dance form was traditionally performed by Maharis, the temple dancers devoted to Lord Jagannath. Later, the Gotipua tradition also played an important role in preserving Odissi. Over time, the form went through periods of decline, especially during colonial rule, but it was revived in the twentieth century by dedicated gurus, artists, and scholars who helped restore it as a respected classical dance style.

Today, students from different places can learn dance online and gain access to this timeless tradition with proper guidance.

The Signature Postures of Odissi

One of the most distinctive features of Odissi is its unique posture work. The dance is known for soft curves and graceful body alignment that create a sculptural effect.

Tribhangi

Tribhangi is the most famous posture in Odissi. It means three bends, usually seen in the neck, torso, and knee. This posture gives Odissi its graceful and lyrical appearance. It reflects elegance, softness, and beauty, and is often associated with divine and feminine expression.

Chauka

Chauka is another foundational posture of Odissi. It is a square and grounded stance that represents strength, stability, and balance. While tribhangi shows fluidity, chauka adds discipline and structure. Together, these two postures form the visual foundation of Odissi dance.

Expression in Odissi

Expression, or abhinaya, is the soul of Odissi. This dance form is not only about movement but also about conveying emotion through the eyes, face, gestures, and body. Odissi often presents themes of devotion, love, longing, and divine stories, especially those connected to Radha and Krishna.

A skilled Odissi dancer uses subtle facial expressions and graceful gestures to bring poetry and emotion to life. This expressive quality is one of the reasons Odissi creates such a deep impact on audiences.

With the rise of online dance classes, students can now observe and practice these expressive details more easily, even from home.

Why Odissi Still Inspires Learners

Odissi continues to attract learners because it offers much more than dance technique. It helps develop posture, rhythm, concentration, emotional expression, and cultural understanding. It is both an art form and a journey of discipline and self-discovery.

For students who wish to learn dance online, Odissi offers a meaningful way to connect with Indian heritage while building artistic confidence and grace.

Conclusion

Odissi dance is a beautiful combination of history, posture, rhythm, and expression. From its ancient temple origins to modern global learning, it remains one of India’s most treasured classical dance forms. Its signature stances like tribhangi and chauka, along with its expressive storytelling, make Odissi a timeless and inspiring art that continues to captivate learners and audiences across the world.

Tribhaṅga or Tribunga is a standing body position or stance used in traditional Indian art and Indian classical dance forms like the Odissi, where the body bends in one direction at the knees, the other direction at the hips and then the other again at the shoulders and neck.

The pose goes back at least 2,000 years in Indian art, and has been highly characteristic for much of this period, found repeated over and over again in countless examples of Indian sculpture and painting. Indian religions carried it to East and South-East Asia. Like the equivalent contrapposto and "S Curve" poses in Western art, it suggests movement in figures and gives "rhythmic fluidity and ... youthful energy".

The history of the stance is often said to reach back to the famous Dancing Girl from Mohenjo-Daro, of about c. 2300–1750 BCE. Versions of the stance can be seen in (Buddhist) yakshi at Bharhut, c. 100 BCE, and the classical form of the stance at Sanchi, around 10 CE.

The pose is used on many coins of the Gupta Empire (c. 319 to 543 CE), by both the kings on the obverse and the deities on the reverse, and in Gupta sculpture. During this period it became very common in both Buddhist and Hindu art (as well as Jain art).

The style of the stance changes somewhat over the centuries, and between different regions inside and outside India, as it was carried abroad, mainly to the east and south-east, in the art of both major religions. To simplify considerably, the earlier depictions in Gupta art and Post-Gupta art show major figures in mildly-bent stances, with more pronounced poses in minor figures and especially female ones such as apsaras and yakshini.

By perhaps the 9th century the stronger version of the stance spreads to most types of figures, and becomes even more marked. This tendency begins to reduce from about the 13th century. The Buddha only ever has a slight tribhanga stance and the Jain tirthankaras are almost never depicted in the pose. Vishnu and Brahma also only usually have slight versions of the stance; the famous temples of Khajuraho, which provide a profusion of tribhanga poses, include examples for both of them.

Krishna playing his flute is very consistently depicted in a version of the pose with one lower leg crossed over (or behind) the other and on tip-toe, and he and Shiva are more often given stronger versions of the stance.

In the Buddhist and Hindu art of East Asia and South-East Asia, the stance tends to be a mark of recent Indian influence in early periods, and figures, especially major ones, then gradually straighten as time passes.

A Grand Evening by Amrita Cultural Trust

On 16 November 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the distinguished cultural organisation Amrita Cultural Trust will present its 5th Annual event, Natya Thoranam 2025, at Shilpakala Vedika, HITEC City, Hyderabad.

This prestigious event is a tribute to India’s vibrant dance traditions, bringing together more than 80 talented performers who will showcase classical styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Mohiniyattam, and Kathak. The evening promises an enchanting display of rhythm, grace, and emotion, blending devotion and artistry in perfect harmony.

What to Expect

Natya Thoranam 2025 goes beyond being a dance recital; it is a celebration of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage through movement. Audiences can look forward to:

Exquisite choreography performed by highly skilled artists representing various Indian classical dance schools.

A journey across traditions, highlighting the diversity and beauty of each classical form.

Vibrant stagecraft, complete with traditional costumes, expressive music, and elegant lighting that enhances every gesture and emotion.

A unified vision, where artists of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate the spirit of Indian classical art.

The Essence of the Event

Amrita Cultural Trust has always been dedicated to preserving and promoting India’s cultural roots through the arts. Natya Thoranam 2025 serves as a reflection of this vision, merging performance with purpose.

For dancers, it provides a platform to express their art, learn from peers, and be part of a larger cultural movement.

For audiences, it’s a gateway to experience India’s traditional dance forms in their purest and most captivating form.

For the community, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the essence of devotion, discipline, and cultural unity.

Event Details

Date: 16 November 2025

Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Venue: Shilpakala Vedika, HITEC City, Hyderabad

Organizer: Amrita Cultural Trust

Special donor passes are available for those who wish to contribute to the cause of cultural preservation and support the performing artists.

Tips for Attendees

Arrive early to enjoy the ambience and settle in before the performances begin.

Choose seats that allow a clear view of both the expressions and footwork, which are both essential elements of classical dance.

Respect the performers by avoiding photography or recording during the event.

Engage with fellow art lovers, such events are an excellent opportunity to meet people who share a passion for culture and heritage.

Why You Should Attend

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a student of classical dance, or someone seeking a meaningful cultural experience, Natya Thoranam 2025 is not to be missed. The event is a celebration of India’s artistic diversity, featuring the storytelling elegance of Bharatanatyam, the lyrical flow of Mohiniyattam, the rhythmic dynamism of Kathak, the vibrant footwork of Kuchipudi, and the sculptural grace of Odissi.

This festival stands as a testament to the timeless relevance of classical art forms and their power to inspire, uplift, and unite people through beauty and expression.

In Conclusion

Natya Thoranam 2025 is more than a cultural event; it’s an experience that celebrates the spirit of Indian tradition. As the stage lights up at Shilpakala Vedika, let the rhythm, colour, and devotion of each dance form transport you to a world where art becomes prayer and movement becomes meditation.