Ardhanareeshwara Stuti - Sanjukta Panigrahi (Odishi)

Rare footage of the "Ardhanareeshwara Stuti" performed by the late Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi in the Odishi(Odissi) style of classical dance from eastern India.

This dance composition based on Sanskrit verses by Adi Shankaracharya, beautifully decribes the half-man and half-woman fusion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The virile, masculine right-side is adorned with ashes, snakes, and flying dreadlocks. In contrast, the delicate, feminine left-side is bathed in turmeric, sandalwood, champa flowers, and jewelry. Thus, the iconography of Ardhaneerashwara reflects the coexistence of both masculine and feminine aspects in the complete being.

Music was set in Ragamalika and Talamalika by Sri Raghunath Panigrahi. Choreography was set by the late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.