The presentation style of Odissi music is quite unique in its practicality and other aspects. The major Prabandhas used in the Odissi music system are Odissi, Champu, Chaupadi, Chhanda, Chautisha, Gitagovinda, Janan, Bhajana and Pallavi etc. These Prabandhas are used for stage performance. Swara Malika, Lakshana Geeta etc. are in use especially for giving lesson to students.
As regards the style of Odissi music it has mainly the following characteristics-
(i) It`s movement is zigzag or Gamak Pradhan.
(ii) It`s nature is neither fast nor very slow, so it`s tempo should be medium.
(iii)The language is medieval Oriya Kavya language.
(iv) It`s compositions are based on Ragas. Out of these Raagas some are original Ragas, some of them share the same name with the mainstream Raagas but Swaras are different. The rest share same Swara with mainstream Raagas but their name is different.
Odissi is sung either with Padi or without Padi. When Odissi is sung with Padi after Sthai Antara, Tala gets prominence and the song is sung at a higher tempo. In such Padiyukta Odissi there is also Jugal Bandi of the singer and the Mardal player.
According to the report of some old practitioners of Odissi music, in ancient times only the compositions were sung but after some time the musicians became aware of various steps followed in mainstream classical systems. Hence they started modifying the original style. In early 50`s the Taan was introduced into Odissi music by the famous vocalist guru Balkrishna Das and the famous violinist Bhubaneswar Mishra. Now-a-days usually the following six steps are followed for stage performance as well as for giving lessons to students: Anibaddha Alap, Prabandha, Nibaddha alap, Padavinyasha, Swara Vinyasha, Taan.
Unless there is some constraint on time, one is expected to follow all these steps while performing. However, it may be noted here that nowadays, some practioners are not doing Nibadha Alaps and Swaravinyas as they feel that excess of Nibadha Alap, Padavinyas and Swaravinyas are destroying the emotive charm of Odissi music. They argue that stress should be given on composition and its variations.
Thus discussed above is the presentation style of Odissi Music.
