Odissi performances have also expressed ideas of other traditions such as those related to Hindu deities Shiva and Surya , as well as Hindu goddesses Shaktism. The theoretical foundations of Odissi trace to the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra , its existence in antiquity evidenced by the dance poses in the sculptures of Kalingan temples , [ 1 ] [ 6 ] and archeological sites related to Hinduism , Buddhism and Jainism.
Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art , where the artist s and musicians play out a story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts , using symbolic costumes, [ 12 ] body movement, abhinaya expressions and mudras gestures and sign language set out in ancient Sanskrit literature. Odissi is learnt and performed as a composite of basic dance motif called the Bhangas symmetric body bends, stance.
It involves lower footwork , mid torso and upper hand and head body as three sources of perfecting expression and audience engagement with geometric symmetry and rhythmic musical resonance.
Traditional Odissi exists in two major styles, the first perfected by women and focussed on solemn, spiritual temple dance maharis ; the second perfected by boys dressed as girls gotipuas [ 18 ] which diversified to include athletic and acrobatic moves, and were performed from festive occasions in temples to general folksy entertainment.
Odissi was the only Indian dance form present in Michael Jackson 's hit single " Black or White ". The foundations of Odissi are found in Natya Shastra , the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of performance arts. More direct historical evidence of dance and music as an ancient performance art are found in archaeological sites such as caves and in temple carvings of Bhubaneswar , Konark and Puri.
