Dances

Odissi Dance is the classical form of dance that originated in the ambience of the temples. It is a lyrical form of dance with its subtelety as its keynote. The intimate relationship experienced between the poetry and music in Odissi is a feature on which the aesthetics of the style is built. Odissi bases itself on a wealth of systematized techniques which make this dance aesthetically appealing and visually delightful. It is a "sculpturesque" style of dance with a harmony of line and movement, all its own. What is interesting about Odissi is that body position is not merely a part of the vocabulary or frame-work. The posture by itself conveys a particular mood or message. The names of these postures too express the moods they represent. Dance is an expression of man's joy through rhythmic and spontaneous movements, and this is pretty evident from the numerous traditional dance forms existing in Orissa. 

Changu Dance: The Changu dance derives its name from a kind of drum called Changu, which invariably accompanies the dance. This dance is common to almost all the tribes but is more popular among the Bhuyans. The peculiar feature of the dance is that the men confront the girls with music and song and then recede backwards when the girls confront them. The girls dance standing in a row generally holding each other’s hand.

Chhau Dance: It is generally performed during the Chaitra Parab festival in the month of Chaitra. It is a dance with a strong folk character; almost like a dance drama. This dance originated perhaps in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa and Sareikela district of Bihar. In this dance footwork and body movement of the dancers are most artistic and virile. Facial expressions are generally absent. 

Juang Dance: The Juang dance is performed to the accompaniment of tambourines. Earlier they used to dance dressed in primitive leaf but not any more. Men sing as the girls dance accompanied by deep sounding tambourines. In one form the girls move around in a single file keeping the right hand on the right shoulder of the girl in front. The Juangs also have what are called the bear dance and the pigeon dance. 

Ho Dance: The Hos are a purely agricultural tribe. They have dances during Magh festival which is held in the month of January when the granaries are full. The chief beverage taken during the celebrations is a kind of home brewed rice beer called Illi. During Ho celebrations all restrictions are set aside.

Other Dances: Animal Mask Dance in Ganjam Chhau Dance in Mayurbhanj and Nilgiri Chaiti Ghoda in coastal Orissa Changu Dance in Sundergarh,Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Phulbani Ghoomra Dance in coastal area Dhanu Jatra in Sambalpur Dalkhai in Western Orissa Dasakathia in South Orissa Ghanta Patua in South Orissa Jhoomar in Sundergarh Karma Dance Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Dhenkanal and Sambalpur Kedu Dance in Coastal Orissa , Mayurbhanj and Balangir Krishna Leela in coastal Orissa Medha Nacha in Costal Orissa Naga Dance in Puri Patua Jatra in coastal Orissa Pala Dance in various parts of Orissa Paika Nrutya in Mayurbhanj, Khordha Ranappa Dance in Ganjam Rama Leela in coastal belt of Orissa Samprada Dance in Western Orissa Tribal Dances in Tribal areas of Orissa