Bhubaneswar, April 29: Odisha’s legacy of visual and performing arts has created a favourable environment for the birth and progress of various dance forms. The walls of its ancient temples are a testimony to the prolific heritage of dance as we can see figurines in different postures.

The state that was dominated by Odissi dance for the past six decades is now seeing emergence of artistes keen to master traditional styles such as Mahari, Sambalpuri folk to contemporary, hip hop, salsa and many other genres. On the occasion of World Dance Day, observed on Tuesday, The Telegraph analyses the trends in popularity of dance forms in Odisha.

Legendary dancers such as Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Kelucharan Mohapatra and many more paved the way for Odissi dance to become the distinct identity of the state. Over the years, many variations have entered the dance form along with the continuation of authentic styles.

The number of performances within the state as well as outside has multiplied over the years. However, the popularity and domination of Odissi dance, mainly among the younger generation, is gradually facing challenges from a host of dance forms that are slowly growing in the state.

Veteran Odissi dancers believe that there is room for all performing arts. “Different performing arts co-existed in ancient times too and they grew together. It is possible even now. With increasing each of visual media there will be emergence of dance forms from all over the world and that is welcome,” said Aruna Mohanty, noted dancer and choreographer. “But we must be careful that while teaching and performing the distinctive character, flavour, grandeur and uniqueness of each is retained,” she said.

Genres such as contemporary and Western are gradually carving out a space for themselves courtesy the success of dancers such as Harihar Dash, Rajasmita Kar, Prince Dance Group, Mandakini Jena and many others from Odisha in national television dance reality shows.

Anupam Nayak runs one of the most popular dance schools in the city where contemporary dance is most sought after. “Like the way Odissi has gone global, global dance forms have entered Odisha. Even some Odissi dancers come to my place to learn contemporary. I believe, most of the dance forms be it Indian or western are reaching their saturation points and hence, fusion is the future,” said Nayak who has been imparting dance lessons for a decade now.

As far as Western dance forms are concerned, their popularity is still in nascent stage. The members of United Dancer Twisterz (UDT), a group of 20-somethings that teaches hip-hop, krumping, locking, popping et al complain that their art is passed off as stunts.

“Odissi is part of our culture while the western dance form is very new in the city. People here first have to acknowledge that it is a dance form and not some acrobatics. We keep conducting workshops to explain this to youngsters,” said a UDT dancer, Biswambharnath Naik. Though most of the members of UDT are self-taught, they recently opened a dance school in Chandrasekharpur where they train 25-odd students.

However, immensely popular hip-hop dancer Harihar said: “Dance reality shows have made Western dance forms a fad among youngsters and this may pose a challenge to Odissi’s popularity. But artistes pursuing hip-hop and similar forms hardly understand the dance style. It is more of a rage for the learners than passion.”

Dance forms such as Mahari and Chhau and various tribal and folk forms are also getting a stage more frequently that before at festivals hosted by institutes or even the state and central government. Many artistes from other states are also pursuing these dance forms by staying in Odisha to learn them.

“I am glad that artistes from Calcutta and even from Italy are learning Mahari at my school now,” said Rupashree Mohapatra, Mahari dancer.