Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art, where the artist(s) and musicians play out a story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts, using symbolic costumes, body movement, abhinaya (expressions) and mudras (gestures and sign language) set out in ancient Sanskrit literature.
Odissi dance offers a range of physical and mental benefits. Physically, classical dance can help improve balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. Mentally, it can help improve focus, discipline, creativity and self-confidence.
Odissi is danced continuously in a position where the upper body, being soft and fluid, is pushed through extensive isolated torso movements while the lower half of the body is strong and very grounded.