Mahari exponent Rupashree Mohapatra (extreme right) conducts a workshop in Puri.

A group of 10 women from countries such as Germany, France and Japan were in Puri to learn the nuances of the state's age-old dance form at a day-long workshop. The group was in the country as part of their research work. Mahari, which is derived from mahaan naari (divine woman), is considered the mother of Odissi since this temple dance laid the foundation of the classical dance form.

At the workshop, the participants learnt simple compositions performed by devadasis or temple dancers in ancient times during special festivals. "Earlier, there was hardly much following or awareness among dance lovers about this dance form. Now, things have changed and it has become popular among research scholars and aspiring dancers. Many girls from across the world train in Mahari at my institute in Puri," said Mohapatra. She founded the Rupashree Kala Mandir and imparts extensive training and of late, many major festivals are including Mahari performances.

One of the participants, Chloe Romaro from France, a trained Odissi dancer herself, said: "Odissi is an extremely graceful dance but Mahari was a learning experience for us. With Odissi having its roots in Mahari, I feel it is important for dancers to have knowledge of it." Without practical understanding, it would be difficult for research scholars to work on the dance form, Rupashree said.

Text by Anwesha Ambaly

Picture by Sarat Patra