Prism - Form in flow: Curvilinear Aesthetics and Ontological Logics in Odissi - Dr. Rohini Dandavate

Growing up in Odisha and witnessing firsthand the legendary Gurus reconstruct the present-day form of Odissi, I carry vivid memories of their deep engagement with the region's temple traditions - particularly the intricate stone reliefs of the Konark Sun Temple and other sacred sites. As the accompanying visual references suggest, curvilinearity not only defined the region's built environment, but also shaped its artistic and performative traditions.

Curvilinearity in Odisha isn't just about style - it is a cultural sensibility, deeply embedded in the aesthetic, spiritual, and material consciousness of the Odia people. When traced through temple architecture, Patachitra painting, filigree ornamentation, and even the Odia script, what emerges is a profound visual and conceptual coherence, grounded in an ethos of flow, fluidity, and sensuous form.

This paper explores how curvilinear expression manifests across these domains and how it has profoundly influenced the signature grace and lyrical quality of the Odissi dance style. This curvilinear aesthetic finds one of its most enduring and foundational expressions in the sacred architecture of Odisha, where temples themselves become monumental embodiments of this visual philosophy. 

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