Karanas in Odissi Dance: History & Explorations

Karaṇas is a popular word amongst dancers. A few Karaṇas are unknowingly used in Odissi Dance.However, usage of entire repertoire of the Karaṇas, is notfully explored in Odissi Dance. This book contains comprehensive listing of Karaṇas, by not only combining information available in the Nātyashaśṭrā, but also all other available sources. Comparison between the Karaṇas and the beautiful sculptures of the temples of Bhubaneswar, further strengthens the fact that the Karaṇas are an inherent part of Orissa & Odissi Dance.In this book, the Karaṇas are further analyzed and discussed as to how it can be used in Odissi Dance Compositions. This book encompasses detailed technical facets of Odissi Dance along with the analysis of the elements of the Karaṇas. Here, it is important to understand the gradual evolution of Odissi Dance from ancient age to its current form to comprehend the importance of Karaṇas. Hence, a specific chapter is dedicated on the progression of Odissi Dance from ancient ages.Any knowledge accumulated through this book will immensely help in improvement of Odissi dance andcreate ideas for further research work. Arpita Venkatesh’s research work titled “STUDY AND APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT KARAṆAS IN THREE TREATISES NAMELY NĀTYAŚĀSTRA, SAṄGĪTARATNĀKARA & SAṄGĪTAKALPALATIKĀ IN ITS PRESENT FORM OF ODISSI DANCE AND ITS COMPARISION WITH THE SCULPTURES OF BHUBANESWAR” thoroughly helped in development of this book.