Costume | sharonlowen

ODISSI COSTUME

ODISSI is not only popular for it’s unique dance style but also very popular for the costumes. It is very important to keep it’s tradition while performing this art form. This dance is not recommended to be performed without the costume and makeup.

Odissi Costume stitched or traditional Sambalpuri Saree

As it is a very sacred dance form, odissi dancers are required to perform with either a stitched costume or Saree.

Jewellery

Odissi dance is complemented by intricate filigree silver jewelry pieces. Filigree, in French, means “thin wire,” and in Oriya it is called Tarkasi. This highly skilled art form is more than 500 years old and is traditionally done by local artisans on the Eastern shores of Orissa. The jewelry pieces of the Odissi dancer’s (always silver or white metal) costume is comprised of the

Tikka (forehead ornament)
Allaka (head piece on which the tikka hangs),
Earrings (mostly peacock shaped) with
Jhumkas hanging from them,
Two necklaces- a smaller necklace worn close to the neck and a longer necklace with a hanging pendant
Two sets of bangles worn on the upper arm and wrist. Kankana & Bahuchudi
Waste belt
Optional: Paunji (anklets) , Khosa Phula (bun flower)

Head piece – Tahia

The crown, or mahkoot

The mahkoot consists of two parts. The flower decorated back piece, called the ‘gobha’, sits around the dancer’s hair pulled into a bun at the back of the head. This piece represents the lotus with a thousand petals that lies above the head in the head chakra, or energy center

Ghungroo pair (socks would be needed if the Ghunroos are not padded)