Practical Performance: Items and Compositions
Domain focus
This domain tests the order, purpose and identifying features of the standard Odissi repertoire.
Core repertoire
- Mangalacharan: opening invocation; includes Ganesh Vandana, Bhumi Pranam, Sabha Pranam and Trikhandi Pranam; ends with a prayer.
- Batu or Sthai: pure dance (nritta) in chowk, set to talas such as Ektali; no narrative abhinaya.
- Pallavi: elaboration of a raga, usually in tribhangi; the name comes from pallava, a leaf or shoot; it develops pure dance patterns.
- Abhinaya: expressive item, often a Gitagovinda ashtapadi or a pada; conveys bhava and rasa.
- Moksha: finale; the name means liberation; it resolves the performance in pure dance and spiritual release.
Worked example
Question: A dancer begins with Ganesh Vandana and Bhumi Pranam. Which item is it? Reasoning: those are components of the opening invocation, not of Batu or Moksha. Answer: Mangalacharan.
Traps
Batu is not an abhinaya item. Moksha is not an opening prayer. Pallavi is not a narrative episode; it is raga-based pure dance. Do not place Abhinaya before Batu in the standard order.