Originating in the eastern coastal state of India, Odisha; the classical dance form of Odissi is typically danced by women. Odissi is known for expressing religious stories and ideas and can be traced back as far as 500BCE-200BCE, where it has been mentioned in the highly revered Sanskrit text, The Nātya Sāstra, a 36 chapter book solely on the performing arts.

Courtesy of the Southbank Centre.