'Gotipua' Dance organised by Gunjan, Cuttack

Long ago, the temples in Odisha had female dancers known as devadasi (or mahari), who were devoted to Jagannath, which gave rise to Mahari dance. Sculptures of dancers on bas-reliefs in temples in Odisha demonstrate this ancient tradition. With the decline of mahari dancers, around the 16th century, boy dancers (Gotipua) in Orissa continued the tradition. Gotipua dance is in the Odissi style, but their technique, costumes and presentation differ from those of the mahari; the singing is done by the dancers. In the Odiya language Gotipua, means "single boy". The dance is executed by a group of boys who perform acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. The boys begin to learn the dance at an early age until adolescence. Present-day Odissi dance has been influenced by 'Gotipua' dance.