Gotipua dance evolved from the traditions of the Maharis, temple dancers of Odisha. While Maharis performed inside temples, Gotipua dancers, young boys dressed as girls, performed for the public, continuing the devotional and artistic legacy outside temple walls.
Class 6 Visual Arts Textbook chapter 13 breaking barriers with dance question answer
Class 6 Arts Grade 6 Chapter 13 breaking barriers with dance solutions
The Gotipua dance has deep connections with the Maharis, who were temple dancers in Odisha, performing in honor of Lord Jagannatha. Over time, Mahari performances declined and young boys took over the tradition, dancing as Gotipuas outside temple premises. Unlike Maharis, who performed only in temples, Gotipuas brought devotional dance to public audiences. This transition helped preserve Odisha’s sacred dance heritage, ensuring that spiritual storytelling through movement continued to flourish even outside temple settings.