Basic Techniques and Terminology of Odissi
Domain focus
This domain tests the vocabulary and body grammar of Odissi: stances, bends, hand gestures, foot positions and spins.
Core terms
- Chowk: a square, symmetrical stance with knees turned out and weight even; it is associated with Lord Jagannath and dominates Batu.
- Tribhangi: the three-bend stance - bends at neck, torso and knee or hip - giving the characteristic S-curve; it dominates Pallavi.
- Atibhangi: an exaggerated bend used for dramatic effect.
- Bhangi: a bend or deflection of the body.
- Hasta: hand gesture; asanjukta hastas use one hand, sanjukta hastas use both.
- Pada bheda: foot positions; bhramari: spins; chali: a gliding walk.
- Khandi: a torso deflection used in combinations.
Worked example
A candidate sees a dancer in a wide, equal-weight stance with turned-out knees and a straight torso. Reasoning: equal weight and a square base rule out tribhangi; the shape is chowk. Answer: chowk, not tribhangi.
Traps
Tribhangi has three bends, not two. Chowk is not merely feet apart: the knees, weight and torso must all support the square. Do not use mudra and hasta as identical in every context; mudra often means a sealed gesture, hasta the hand position.