Sujata Mohapatra
Sujata Mohapatra, an exponent in Odissi is noted for her ethereal grace, stylistic perfection and spellbinding performances.
The videos here feature the traditional aspects of Odissi such as Mangalacharan, Pallavi and Abhinaya by Sujata Mohapatra.
Originated in the State of Orissa, Odissi is one of the popular classical dance forms of India. Referred as Odra-Magadhi in Natya Shastra, the treatise on classical Indian dance, Odissi is the oldest surviving dance form of India.
Odissi differs from other classical Indian dance forms for the importance it gives for the tribhangi, which literally means the three part division and is mentioned as the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis and upon the basic square stance known as chauka.
The traditional Odissi repertoire consists of three parts; the Mangalacharan – an invocation, the Battu Nrutya, a performance offered to the lord of dance – Lord Shiva in his Batuka Bhairava form; the Pallavi – a pure dance item in which a raga is elaborated through eye movements, body postures and intricate footwork and the Abhinaya aspect of the dance that conveys the story to the audience through mudra or hand gestures, facial expression and body movement.