A lot has been written about the Odissi music form in India. While some claim it originated with the Mughal court and was later brought westward by the Persians, others say it is nothing more than the distinctive sound of a stringed instrument picked up after a day’s meditation at the Sun Temple. Whatever the case may be, this fascinating Indian musical tradition continues to be enjoyed today by its many fans all over the world.
What makes Odissi music distinctive is the use of a number of musical instruments, including bamboo flute, sitar, tabla, cymbals, sammi, raga, gheta, talan etc? The polyphonic scale which accompanies each piece of music is characteristic of this type of musical ‘verse’, with each one having a different prominence. The unique thing about this musical form is that there is no spoken word in the language, only the musical instruments. However, this can sometimes complicate the ‘verse’, especially when it comes to some of the older versions where there are no lyrics. It must be remembered, though, that many modern interpretations have been developed since the time of the Vedas in India, and new words and phrases have been devised in order to enrich the experience of listeners.
Most instruments are available to download as audio files, so you can simply load them on your computer and start playing! This unique music form is a wonderful way to meditate, connect with your spirit and create amazing moments in your life.