Odissi Dancer Explores Gender Beyond Binary

Odissi dancer Bijayini Satpathy is exploring uncharted territory in classical Indian dance with her new solo titled 'Trikaya,' meaning 'Three Bodies.' After years of adhering to the conventional gendered expressions within Odissi, Satpathy felt compelled to question these boundaries and seek ways to embody diverse identities.

Her new work, scheduled for a performance on November 5th, draws from the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata. Satpathy embodies three distinct characters: Arjuna, the renowned warrior; Urvashi, an apsara who attempts to seduce him; and Brihannala, a character of indeterminate gender into whom Arjuna is transformed.

The character Brihannala is described in the epic using the term 'kliba,' often translated as eunuch or neuter, and frequently understood as representing a third gender. Significantly, Brihannala is also depicted as a dancer within the narrative, adding another layer to Satpathy's exploration of identity and representation in her art.