Photo by Debiprasad Sahoo Photography at Brameshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar, India
It is not lost on me, what a privilege it is to dance; to travel, to study and explore cities, festivals, temples, arts and cultures that have shaped and inspired the world. It is a blessing that I appreciate profoundly.
It’s hard to express with words and photos how special it is to immerse in the culture of the birthplace of our sacred dance. For all of the challenges; confusing and harsh circumstances, sensory overstimulation, bellyaches, communication mishaps and (and, and) other relative discomforts we encounter to visit this special place, at the heart of the experience for me is momentary glimpses of pure love and connection; a recognition of ourselves in the Sacred.
A temple dancer carved in stone at Ratnagiri, Orissa, India
Odissi dance is life-giving and life-affirming; and it is simply and innocently joyful. The spiraling vibration we awaken when we stomp our feet upon the Earth sends revitalizing impulses throughout our bodies, ultimately expressed through our hands and our eyes. We generate and recognize and connect with the healing vibration that lives at the core of our being, the upward- and outward-reaching resonance of creation.
On the stage we expose ourselves as unapologetically sensual, tender, vulnerable and emotional. Pure essence – that which is Sacred in me - is awakened. It whirls through me to reach out and meet and recognize and affirm what is most Sacred in you, my audience. For me this is hopeful and comforting and deeply inspiring – an expression of beauty that emerges from the infinitely vital seed of creation. It is a compelling reason to dance.
These words by my beloved teacher and friend Revital Carroll, founder and director of Shakti Bhakti school of dance and performance group, come as close as I can get to capturing, in practical terms, the essence of this dance:
"Odissi is sensual but not sexy, beautiful but not glamorous, intense but not violent, unique but not shocking. It is timeless but not fashionable.In a world that favors sex, war, glam, shock, and fashion - It is for those who are willing to get a bit bruised in order to blossom, for those who are passionate about touching their depth in order to emit their most delicate scent, for those who are seeking peace in the midst of celebration - for those who are willing to sweat in their silk"
Dance practice at Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar
Handloom saari's
A street view in Cuttack, Orissa
A view of Jagannath Temple, Puri
Shakti Bhakti Ensemble
The Godipuas held the tradition when it was determined inappropriate for women to dance Odissi. These young dancers are absolutely incredible, and much more acrobatic than the Odissi style we practice. Modern day Odissi has only been revived recently, circa 1940.
A street view of Puri, Orissa