Dancers perform Odissi in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, July 10: Utkal University of Culture has decided to introduce courses for Odissi dancers and musicians from this academic year.

Dancers and musicians specialising in Odissi can now pursue MPhil courses under the varsity that is a one of its kind institution dedicated to cultural degrees. At present, artistes could only attain degrees up till postgraduation. But, this new move will definitely help the research and documentation as well as in depth analysis of the Odissi performing arts.

“Utkal University of Culture will soon open applications for MPhil programmes in Odissi dance and music starting from the current academic year. This is for the first time that the artistes in the state will get a chance to pursue higher studies in their desired fields of Odissi arts,” said renowned Odissi music exponent and postgraduate council chairman of Utkal University of Culture Ramahari Das.

The courses would be conducted in self-financing mode, he said.

“We are yet to decide the exact fee structure, but it will definitely be affordable to encourage students to go for the MPhil degrees. The self-financing courses have been designed with a job-oriented structure,” said Das.

The Odissi dance MPhil course will offer 10 seats and the minimum eligibility for the programme will be a postgraduate degree in Odissi dance from any recognised university in India with the candidate having secured at least 50 per cent marks in the subject. A panel of Odissi dance experts would screen the candidates, said a varsity official.

The MPhil programme in Odissi music will also have 10 seats and the eligibility and selection criteria will be the same as Odissi dance. Senior artistes from the state feel this will be a great step in making the academic side of Odissi dance and music strong.

“Those with an academic interest for Odissi dance and music will definitely benefit from the MPhil course. It always helps a good artiste have in-depth knowledge of the dance form and be well read in its history and different research works on it. Rather than being confined to the stage, there will be holistic development of artistes now,” said eminent Odissi dancer Aruna Mohanty.

The MPhil forms would be available from July 13, said a varsity official.