The Playful Rhythms of Odissi

The second day at Adi Shakti was a revelation, not just for its intensity but also for the joy and playfulness it brought into our learning. As the day unfolded, a new layer of the Odissi experience was revealed—one that spoke to both discipline and creativity.

During our morning and afternoon sessions, as we dove into the fundamentals of Odissi, she began introducing us to the rhythmic structures that form the heart of this beautiful dance form. It was here that something magical happened. As she demonstrated the Arasa, a rhythm full of lively energy and intricate beats, I couldn’t help but remark that it felt as though the Rajasthani puppets had come alive and were dancing.

She paused for a moment, a smile breaking across her face, and said, “Then let’s call this the Rajasthani puppet Arasa!” It was such a lighthearted moment amidst the seriousness of our practice. From that point onward, the Arasa took on a new dimension for us—it wasn’t just a rhythmic pattern but a playful dance of puppets in motion. The imagery transformed the way we approached it, adding a layer of imagination and storytelling to our practice.

Later in the day, she introduced us to the Guru Brahma Shloka, a solemn and powerful prayer that connects dancers to the divine lineage of their teachers. The shloka seemed to reverberate through the studio, grounding us in tradition and reminding us of the sacredness of what we were learning. Chanting it as we moved was a deeply humbling experience, as though we were bowing to not only her but to the countless teachers and artists who had come before us.

That day, we felt both the weight and the joy of the journey we had undertaken. The rhythms of Odissi were no longer abstract—they were alive, playful, and sacred all at once. It was a reminder that in this art form, discipline and creativity are not opposites but partners, dancing hand in hand.

By the end of the evening, as I reflected on the day, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the Rajasthani puppets—Sarasa, as she had lovingly named them—dancing through my imagination. This was the magic of her teaching: the ability to transform rigorous learning into moments of sheer delight.

Boarding the bus with our luggage was an adventure in itself. The atmosphere was a mix of apprehension and eagerness. None of us quite knew what awaited us in this dance residency in India, gifted to us as an incredible opportunity. The drive to Adi Shakti was filled with conversations, hushed whispers of expectations, and quiet moments of reflection.

When we finally arrived, the scene was both surreal and grounding. Dragging our heavy suitcases and bags through muddy pathways, we reached the hostel, the earthy scent of the place grounding us immediately in its rustic beauty. There was an unspoken understanding that we were stepping into something sacred, a space that would challenge and inspire us in equal measure.

Rooms were allocated quickly, and with barely enough time to unpack, we left our belongings and gathered for a quick meal. There was an air of nervous anticipation as we prepared for the first major moment of our residency—presenting the Mangalacharan to our teacher, the renowned Odissi maestro, Bijayani Satyapaty

Dressed and ready, we entered the studio with a mix of reverence and trepidation. This was no ordinary teacher—her mastery of Odissi was legendary. As we stood before her, every movement felt heavy with expectation, yet the moment we began, the magic of the Mangalacharan took over.

To our surprise, she was kind and encouraging. Her appreciation of our efforts was a balm to our nervous hearts. It was in her gentle yet discerning feedback that we felt the first sparks of what this journey could truly mean—not just as dancers, but as seekers of something deeper.

That was our introduction to the incomparable B Satyapaty on December 15, 2024. It set the tone for the days to come—a blend of discipline, creativity, and discovery. As we headed back to our rooms that night, exhausted yet exhilarated, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for this opportunity to dance, learn, and grow together in this sacred space.

And so, our Adi Shakti journey began.