GOTIPUA DANCE : ART & CULTURE
NEWS : Gotipua child artistes, who experience the world as their stage, face an
uncertain future when they hit puberty.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The dancers who stumble from boyhood stardom to adulthood
anonymity
Gotipua
Dance
- Origin and Significance:
- State:
Odisha, India.
- Dance
Form: Traditional dance and a precursor to the
classical Odissi dance.
- Performers: A
distinctive feature of Gotipua is that it is performed by boys, unlike
other traditional dance forms where female dancers are prominent.
- Performance
Style:
- Inspiration:
The dance is inspired by the divine love stories of Radha and Krishna.
- Choreography:
Includes acrobatic movements and intricate dance figures that mimic
various aspects of the lives of Radha and Krishna.
- Costume:
- Kanchula: A
traditional bright-colored blouse adorned with shiny embellishments,
designed to enhance the visual appeal of the dance.
- Nibibandha:
An apron-like, embroidered silk cloth worn around the waist, extending as
a frill around the legs, adding to the elegance and grace of the
performance.
- Historical
Context:
- Devadasi
Tradition: In ancient Odisha, temples employed female
dancers known as Devadasis or Maharis, who performed sacred dances
dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
- Transition:
During the 16th century, under the reign of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev,
the tradition of Mahari dancers began to wane. To preserve the dance
tradition, a new class of male dancers, known as Gotipuas, emerged. These
boys took on the role of maintaining and continuing the sacred dance
tradition.
- Literary
Reference:
- Abhinaya
Chandrika: An ancient text on Odissi dance written by
Maheshwar Mahapatra in the 15th century. This text provides a
comprehensive study of the dance movements, gestures, and techniques used
in Odissi and Gotipua dances, reflecting their historical and cultural significance.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/the-dancers-who-stumble-from-boyhood-stardom-to-adulthood-anonymity/article68512086.ece