Odissi is a notable classical Indian dance that blossomed in the Hindu temples of Odisha, an eastern coastal state in India. It reflects the deepest emotions of love and passion, encompassing everything from the divine to the mundane, symbolizing both the sublime and everyday life elements. The earliest reference to Odissi dance can be traced back to Odhra Magadha, as mentioned in the ancient Indian treatise, Natya Shastra.
Dance Technique
The dance technique revolves around two fundamental postures; the Chowk and the Tribhanga. The Chowk imitates the form of a square and represents a robust, masculine stance with the body’s weight equally distributed. On the other hand, the Tribhanga depicts a more feminine posture, characterized by a curvaceous body deflected at the neck, torso, and knees.
Orchestral Accompaniment
An integral part of any Odissi recital is the accompanying orchestra. Typically, it comprises a pakhawaj player (usually the dance guru), a singer, a flutist, a sitar or violin player, and a manjira player. The orchestra plays a vital role in enhancing the overall performance and setting the mood for the dance.
Mankading in Cricket: A Contested Strategy
In the world of cricket, one incident that surfaced during the Indian Premier League 2019 (IPL-2019) ignited debates around a controversial run-out method known as ‘Mankading.’
Origins of Mankading
Mankading refers to a legitimate way of dismissing a non-striker by hitting the bails before bowling when the latter has left the crease. This strategy took its name from Vinoo Mankad, an Indian bowler awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1973. During India’s tour of Australia in 1947/48, Mankad ran out Bill Brown twice employing this technique, which led to its naming after him.
| Year | Event | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1947/48 | India’s tour of Australia | Vinoo Mankad runs out Bill Brown twice by Mankading |
| 1973 | Indian Government Honours | Vinoo Mankad awarded Padma Bhushan |
| 2019 | Indian Premier League | Mankading incident revives debates |
Rules and Controversy Surrounding Mankading
While Mankading is legal according to the rules of cricket, it remains a contentious issue. If a non-striker leaves his/her ground early, the rules permit the bowler to attempt to run him/her out. This action does not count as one in the over, regardless of its success. The laws of cricket have undergone various amendments since this strategy was first used, but the run-out type remains to deter batsmen from stealing runs. However, some believe that the bowler should warn any batsman who persistently backs up too far, before dismissing him in this fashion. The topic continues to spark debate among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
