File pictures of Bijay Jena, Ramahari Das and (right) Damodar Hota performing in concerts

Odissi dance and Odia language have received the classical recognition. With the World Music Day being celebrated today, The Telegraph finds out from eminent music personalities of the state what is stopping Odissi music from acquiring the classical tag

Ramahari Das
Odissi vocalist and composer

Odissi music, like Hindustani and Carnatic styles, has distinct elements that clearly bring out its classical nature. If Odissi dance has been accepted as classical, the music accompanying it since ages is
obviously classical.

Damodar Hota
Odissi music exponent

Though Odia music fraternity members are demanding classical status for Odissi music, many themselves have no idea about the real format of Udra Padhati, which is the ancient system of music of our region that they are now terming as Odissi music. Most of the present music experts and their students are from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya that never had proper teachers. So most of the musicians are themselves confused about the structure and history of Odissi music and they are only practicing hybrid Odissi music. How
will they claim classical status with such little knowledge about the music form?

Shyamamani Devi
vocalist

Getting a classical tag is not as important now as the development and preservation of the Odissi music form. If Odissi music is counted among other forms of classical music it is definitely something to be happy about but only that will not help. Where are the documentation and research works and books on technical and performing aspects of Odissi?

Text by Namita Panda