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.

Covering eight classical dance forms of India Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya Leela Venkataraman seamlessly weaves together a historical perspective with the contemporary scenario. Stripped of their association with the temple and the court, classical dance traditions in India went through a series of unprecedented change in the period marking the last few years of British rule and thereafter. From becoming part of the nationalist struggle when India was trying to rediscover its lost identity, to sharing the international stage today with dance forms from all over the world, the last sixty-six years have seen many changes in perspective and presentation of Indian Classical Dance some intentional, others involuntary. While looking at these years closely and their impact on dance forms, one realises that this is a phase in an ongoing process, with each new generation of dancers and musicians adding to an already rich tapestry of tradition."

One Of The Seven Major Classical Dance Forms Of India, Kuchipudi In Its Solo Avatara Has Acquired A Status Of A Classical Dance Form Of Andhra Pradesh. The Story Of Kuchipudi From Its Origin As A Dance-Drama And Its Emergence As A Solo Dance Form Is One Of The Most Fascinating Phenomena Engaging Attention Of The Gurus, The Performing Dancers And The Research Scholars. Essentially A Preserve Of The Male Dancers, Who Also Excelled In The Female Roles, Today Kuchipudi Is Being Mainly Performed By The Female Dancers. However, The Tradition Continues To Survive In Kuchipudi Village, Some 30 Kilometres Away From Vijayawada In Andhra Pradesh. The Traditional Dance-Dramas Continue To Exist Along With More Popular Solo Dance Form. Kuchipudi Has Innumerable Votaries Not Only In India But Also Abroad And Their Number Is Ever Increasing. Padma Shri Dr. Sunil Kothari, Dance Historian, Scholar And Critic, Traces In This Volume The Origins Of The Dance-Drama Tradition, Correlating The Prayoga, The Practice And The Shastra, The Theory And How From The Natya, The Drama, Its Integral Elements Nritya, Expressional Dance And Nritta, The Pure Dance In The Hands Of Creative, Traditional Gurus Have Shaped Its Present Solo Format, Giving It Its Own Identity. Based On His Extensive Field Work Dr. Kothari Has Studied The Allied Forms Like Vithi Bhagavatam, Turpubani Vidhi Natakam, Pagati Vesham, Navajanardana Parijatam, Bhagavata Mela Nataka, Kuravanji Dance- Idrama And Offered An Overview Of The Dance Form As It Exists Today And Continues To Develop In Its Many Ramifications. He Has Also Dwelt Upon The All-Pervading Influence Of Vempati Chinna Satyam And His Contibution In Sh Dj'Ing Kuchipudi Into A Solo Form Along With The Dance-Dramas That He Has Choreographed. The Brief Biographies Of The Traditional Gurus And Some Of The Celebrated Exponents I Add Tp The Value Of This Volume, Presenting The Current State Of Kuchipudi On The Contemporary Dance Scene. Profusely Illustrated With 166 Colour And 221 Black And White Photographs By The Ace Photographer A Vinash Pasricha And Designed By The Eminent Artist And Designer Dashrath Patel, Kuchipudi Is A Major Significant Study Of The Classical D'Ance Form Of Andhra Pradesh.

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