The evolvement of the tradition of of Gotipua Dance (dance by a single boy) can be traced to the tradition of Maharis or Debadasis attached to the temple of Lord Jagannath of puri, who could not dance outside, so young boy & later boys dressed in female costume replaced them at different festivities and gathering. The Mahsris and Gotipua dance styles co existed, each independently, but with common roots.
The word GOTI means one/single and PUA means boy, but the Gotipuas always danced in pairs. Boys are recruited at about the age of six and after rigorous training continues to perform till they are fifteen.
With the slow disintegration of Maharis due to various reasons, the class of these boy dancers carried out the tradition with subsequent introduction of "Bandhas",(symbolic representation of mythological tales through acrobatic postures),the the present day Odissi, Classical dance form can certainly claim to have received seeds of its origin from the Gotipua Gharana. In fact most of the pioneering erstwhile and present oddissi Guru & exponents were Gotipua dancers in the early days.
Even though the dance has similarity with Odissi style, nevertheless crucial difference exist in technique, costume and presentation. Interestingly, Gotipua dancers are singers also.
Earlier Gotipua used to perform the whole night, in special festive occasion, patronized by traditional Zamidars and Matha establishment, celebrating the divine myth of Radha Krushna Love, singing vaishnav devonational songs.
It is now performed as a group dance of six to ten boys of tender age,clad in female costume (normally below 14 years of age), presented in a more systematic and precise manner with stage worthiness.
The repertoire of the dance includes vandana-
Prayer of God or Guru; sarigama- a pure dance number; Abhinaya- Enactment of a song, and Bandha Nrutya- presentation of acrobate Yogic postures, creation of images of Radha Krushna, having similarity to visual presentation drawn up by pattachitra artist. Musical accompaniment is provided with mardala, Gini,Harmonium, violine and Flute.
Earlier Gotipua used to perform the whole night, in special festive occasion, patronized by traditional Zamidars and Matha establishment, celebrating the divine myth of Radha Krushna Love, singing vaishnav devonational songs.
It is now performed as a group dance of six to ten boys of tender age,clad in female costume (normally below 14 years of age), presented in a more systematic and precise manner with stage worthiness.
The repertoire of the dance includes vandana-
Prayer of God or Guru; sarigama- a pure dance number; Abhinaya- Enactment of a song, and Bandha Nrutya- presentation of acrobate Yogic postures, creation of images of Radha Krushna, having similarity to visual presentation drawn up by pattachitra artist. Musical accompaniment is provided with mardala, Gini,Harmonium, violine and Flute.
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