ORISSI/ODISSI DANCE

Either Odissi or Orissi may be considered acceptable in writing. While close however, both would be technically inaccurate in the traditional pronounciation of the word. The confusion over how to spell Orissi, in English, is due to the fact that Indian languages possess some entirely different sounds in their alphabets than does English. The Indian tongue is more agile than that of the English speaker. In Oriya script, the second letter of Odissi has an 'rd' sound, with a rolled 'r' similar to Spanish. However unlike Spanish, there is only one roll of the tongue followed immediately by the soft 'd' sound. The 'r' and 'd' are said almost simultaneously creating a new (for Euro-Americans) combined sound. Perhaps, to satisfy purists, the most correct (Romanized) spelling of this Indian dance form would be,

O(rd)issi

but, that is awkward and unwieldy. A pronunciation with no 'r,' and a hard 'd' has come into vogue, making it easier for Westerners to pronounce it (doubtless as a nod to the broad support 'Odissi' Dance has enjoyed in the West). Several in the inner circles of Orissi have begun adopting the new pronunciation as well. The 'd' spelling/pronunciation has a harsh unaesthetic sound, and 'Orissi' most accurately represents the musical sound of the word, as said from time immemorial, to our ears. We would have preferred to continue using the latter spelling. Nevertheless, as the winds of change are blowing, regardless the traditional pronunciation, both spellings are now used interchangeably on this site. (David)