Classical Dance
The classical dances of India evolved as a form of spiritual expression. These dances were originally performed in temples throughout India as a part of devotional services. Indian classical dances are renowned not only for their intricacies in movement, but also for their highly spiritual content. The dance forms usually have two distinct aspects: Nritta, or pure, abstract movement without any meaning, and Nritya, or expressional dance, where the artist uses codified hand gestures and facial expressions to tell a story, much of which carries a mythological theme.

Odissi Dance
Odissi, the graceful and lyrical dance form from the eastern state of Orissa, is claimed to be India's earliest classical dance style. Although the Odissi dance tradition had become extinct for quite some time, it was rejuvenated in the 1940s thanks to a gamut of dedicated Gurus, critics, scholars and musicians who set forth to reconstruct this dance form adhering to the fundamental principles of ancient treatises on dance. Odissi has a distinct style and technique in its presentation. Famous for its lyrical grace and charm, the dance is characterized by its rounded, fluid movements, as well as the abundance in sculpturesque poses, or bhangis, bearing close resemblance to the relief sculptures of the famous temples in Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar, which have nourished the art.