In Orissa, Odissi or Orissi has an iconographical history dating back to the 2nd century B.C. Archeological evidence claims it to be one of the earliest Indian classical dance forms.

It is Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, dancer and choreographer, who in the 20th century defined the classical structure of Odissi, imbued it with rasa, the essence of aesthetics and made its liquid movements magical. As a child, roaming the countryside of Orissa with his father, a khola (drum) player, he felt the beat connecting him with the rhythm of the universe, and knew his life must flow with it through dance. Today at 75, Kelubabu is a living legend and still performs to packed audiences.