Uploaded January 2009 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Odissi Dance by Natyashakti - Gait to the Spirit.
This particular style of dance is treated as Mangalacharan (that which starts and concludes auspiciously). In this, permission is sought from the Lord of the Universe, Mother Earth, the Guru and the Audience. This is performed in three sections:
1)Bhumi Pranam : Earth is our mother. We believe that we commit a sin by kicking on her while dancing. So, we salute the earth initially in dance to excuse us from that sin.
2) Bandana : A prayer to Lord Jagannatha is presented with the recitation of Slokas (hymn) after Bhumi Pranam.
3) Sabha Pranama : The dancer presents a piece of dance according to the rhythm of the Mrdanga (drum) after prayer. 1st Bol (recitation) is pronounciated according to the rhythm. Mainly, the hands are styled in "Anjali Mudra" (folded prayer posture). At last, the dancer concludes the dance with three salutes "Trikandi Pranam". These three salutes are justified by "Natya Shastra". The first one is presented on head for the purpose of the Gods, the second is placed in front of the face to the Guru (teacher) and the third showed in front of the chest towards the audience. It is purported to excuse the dancer if there is any fault in the presentation of the art.
Filmed at New Govardhana Community NSW Australia by Soolaba for SMDoyle Video Production © 2009.
Odissi Dance by Natyashakti - Gait to the Spirit.
This particular style of dance is treated as Mangalacharan (that which starts and concludes auspiciously). In this, permission is sought from the Lord of the Universe, Mother Earth, the Guru and the Audience. This is performed in three sections:
1)Bhumi Pranam : Earth is our mother. We believe that we commit a sin by kicking on her while dancing. So, we salute the earth initially in dance to excuse us from that sin.
2) Bandana : A prayer to Lord Jagannatha is presented with the recitation of Slokas (hymn) after Bhumi Pranam.
3) Sabha Pranama : The dancer presents a piece of dance according to the rhythm of the Mrdanga (drum) after prayer. 1st Bol (recitation) is pronounciated according to the rhythm. Mainly, the hands are styled in "Anjali Mudra" (folded prayer posture). At last, the dancer concludes the dance with three salutes "Trikandi Pranam". These three salutes are justified by "Natya Shastra". The first one is presented on head for the purpose of the Gods, the second is placed in front of the face to the Guru (teacher) and the third showed in front of the chest towards the audience. It is purported to excuse the dancer if there is any fault in the presentation of the art.
Filmed at New Govardhana Community NSW Australia by Soolaba for SMDoyle Video Production © 2009.
