Widely believed to be the oldest Indian dance tradition, odissi has transformed over the centuries from a sacred temple ritual to a transnational genre performed-and consumed-throughout the world. Building on ethnographic research in multiple locations, this book charts the evolution of odissi dance and reveals the richness, rigor, and complexity of the form as it is practiced today. As author and dancer-choreographer Nandini Sikand shows, the story of odissi is ultimately a story of postcolonial India, one in which identity, nationalism, tradition, and neoliberal politics dramatically come together.

The art form known as Odissi is the descendent of the temple dance that evolved in the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This book offers a chronological survey of the form and style of this dance. It gives readers an outline of the architects and contemporary gurus of the dance. 'Odissi - The Dance Divine' is a chronological survey of the form and style of the dance. The art form today known as Odissi is the descendent of the temple dance that evolved in the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Revered as one of the holiest placesm the temple was the centre of culture, religion and

India’s rich cultural legacy has been founded on the abiding faith of the Indians in the divine power, whose worship had found expression through dance. ‘Bhakti’ or devotion was the underlying essence of the various dance forms that developed in India. Indian Classical Dances is a unique presentation of the eight classical dance styles – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi and Sattriya, through a concise portrayal of the background of each dance form, the salient features, format of presentation, music and costume. The simplistic approach of the narration coupled with the unique collection of photographs, will enable the lay reader to visualise, comprehend and appreciate the diverse dance forms of India.

- Describes Odissi's mechanism for creating, dispersing and expressing energy - Explores the principles of yoga in Indian dance and building a tangible artistic practice based on this understanding - Meant for performers, dance enthusiasts and general readers alike Dance as Yoga addresses the background, technique and embodiment of the odissi dance form. It describes odissi's mechanism for creating, dispersing, and expressing energy, as well as some early experiments in choreography that extended its accepted parameters with reference to Choreological Studies. It is meant for both performers and audiences to better appreciate the reasons for the restraints inherent in such dance forms and, by doing so, have an informed appreciation of innovation that builds on traditional strengths. Contents: Preface; Introduction; 1. Odissi's Temple Legacy; 2. The Guru's Path; 3. Choreological Studies; 4. Strand Body; 5. Strand Movement; 6. Sound-Movement Nexus; 7. Covert Structures; 8. Reflections on Choreography; Annexure A; Annexure B; Glossary 1; Glossary 2; Bibliography; Acknowledgements; Index.