Odissi is an Indian classical dance style from the eastern state of Orissa in India, being apart of the ancient Odra Magadha style of dance from the eastern region. There is evidence that Odissi was danced in the temples of Orissa as far back as the 2nd century BC. Originally performed as a sacred ritual dedicated to the Gods, Odissi is marked by sensuousness and lyricism, soft, graceful and flowing movements that reflect the divine sculptural motifs of the temples of Orissa.

Odissi owes its origin to the temple dances of the devadasis or temple dancers, whose earliest mention dates back to 10th century A.D. Female attendants of the temple, known as Maharis, danced for the Gods at various times of day to accompany various rituals of the temple deity. This dance was to the accompaniment of Mardala or the pakhawaj, small cymbals, flute and veena, a string instrument like the sitar.

Over time however, the Mahari tradition started declining and a new class of dancers was created to revive the Odissi dance tradition starting in the 17th century. This class consisted of young boys or Gotipuas who danced in female costumes. Most of the present day Odissi gurus or teachers were Gotipuas in their youth.

These two living traditions were researched on after India's independence from colonial rule and incorporated into what is today the Odissi style. Master teachers or Gurus, such the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Guru Mayadhar Raut, Guru Deba Prasad Das, etc., scholars and performers came together for research based on these traditions and ancient texts such as the Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpanam, to create this style in its present form.

Odissi is a graceful style of classical dance that is inspired thematically by the literature, art and spiritual movements of the Vaishnava (worshippers of Vishnu) as well as Shaiva (worshippers of Shiva) sects of Hinduism, and in technique, by the ancient Hindu temple sculptures of Orissa.