The book is the first one dealing with the historical background, evolution and emergence of Odissi as a classical dance form in India. It traces the development of Odissi from a local ritual of temple dancers (Maharis) in the Jagannath temple and the performance of Gotipuas outside the temple in the 1940's, to the modern day sophisticated internationally acclaimed Odissi dance. The pioneer Odissi dancer Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi has been directly ...