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.](https://www.theatrefullstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_1153-300x118.jpg)
Courtesy of the Southbank Centre.