Gotipua Dance

GS I Art and Culture

Origins and Historical Background

• Gotipua originated in Odisha during the 16th century, under the reign of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev.
• The term ‘Gotipua’ is derived from the Oriya language, where ‘Goti’ means single and ‘Pua’ means boy.
• This dance form developed as a male counterpart to the fading Mahari dance tradition, which was previously performed by Devadasis as a ritual offering at Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
• Gotipua is considered the forerunner of Odissi dance, influencing its evolution over time.

Dance Techniques and Training

• The dance style is characterized by two primary postures:
  • Tribhangi – A three-fold bending of the body at the head, torso, and knees.
  • Chouka – A square-like stance representing Lord Jagannath.
• A unique aspect of Gotipua is that dancers sing while performing, blending vocal and physical expressions.
• The upper body movements of the dance are inspired by the waves of Odisha’s coastline.
• Training is intensive, requiring proficiency in singing, dance, yoga, and acrobatics.

Costume and Performance Elements

• The dancers, who are young boys, grow long hair and adorn themselves with floral garlands.
• Their makeup consists of white and red powders, enhancing their feminine appearance.
• Gotipua is performed as an offering to Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna.

Decline of Gotipua

• As dancers reach puberty, they often retire from performing due to a loss of flexibility and the inability to maintain the feminine persona required for the dance.
• The tradition is deeply rooted in Odisha’s temple culture, with representations of Gotipua dancers found in sculptures at the Konark Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple in Puri.