Mahari Dance

Mahari Dance is one of the important dance forms of Orissa. Mahari Dance is one of the important dance forms of Orissa. In fact; it can be safely termed as the dance form which gave birth to the present day classical dance of Odissi. Mahari Dance originated in the temples of Orissa. History provides ample evidence of the ‘Devadasi’ cult in Orissa. The dance form that was being practiced by these Devdasis in the ancient times was called Mahari. The word “Mahari” in fact is formed by combining two words Maha and Nari that literally means great women. These Devadasis were considered sacred and were to perform only for the Lord Jagganath. They were the dancing girls who were dedicated to the temples of Orissa. Initially the dance was performed on mantras and shlokas. It included both nritya and abhinaya. The inclusion of Geeta Gobinda of Jayadev in the temple was instrumental in bringing changes to the dance form as performances based on poetries that included abhinaya or performances also got inculcated into the dance.

It was during the reign of Chodagangadeva, Maharis were employed in the temples of Puri. After Chodagangadeva’s death, Ananabhimadeva built Natyamandapa in the Jagannath temple for the dance performances inside the temple. Moreover, in those days, the Mahari dancers belonged to different categories namely, the ‘Nachunis’ (dancers), the Bahara Gauni, the Bhitara Gauni and the Gaudasanis.

The Mahari Dancers of Orissa are supposed to follow certain restrictions, such as:

• They cannot enjoy.
• They should dance on the ceremonies connected to Lord Jagannath.
• They should adhere to the specifications made by the Sastras.
• They must always wear clean cloths.
• The dancer cannot be physically handicapped.
• At the time of the performances, the dancers are not supposed to look at the audience.
• The Maharis are married to the Lord at the age of nine.
• Before their performances, the Mahari dancers pay their obeisance to the Lord.

The Maharis were married to the Lord at the age of nine. The Mahari dancers pay their obeisance to the Lord Jagannath before every dance. Campaigns led against the dance form by the Britishers in the seventeenth century led to extinction of the dance form. However this has been revived in the post independence era by many Gurus.

In Orissa, one can also come across another type of Mahari dancers, who are known as ‘Samarpada Niyoga’. The duty of the ‘Samarpada Niyoga’ is to dance during the ceremonial procession of the deities. These dancers perform during the Ratha Yatra, Jhulana Yatra, Dola Yatra, etc.