Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar has become the first IIT in the country to introduce Odissi as a part of the curriculum for B.Tech students. The subject is not compulsory. The classical dance will carry maximum 12 credits for the entire B.Tech course. Each credit means, weekly five hours of study for a course.
Students of first year can either opt for Odissi, Yoga or join NSS, NCC or a sports team like badminton, volleyball and cricket. This is to earn one credit. T hey have to clear the activity they choose, to earn the B.Tech degree. Ten girls have reportedly already taken up Odissi according to The Times Of India .
In their second and third years Odissi will become an elective subject. Other choices of subjects will be financial management, international relations and entrepreneurship. Each of the two semesters in a year would carry three credits.
Students in their final year can continue or discontinue learning Odissi. A ny student learning it in the final year would get a diploma in dance as well.
“D ance can broaden horizons of students studying specialised course,” said director RV Rajakumar.
“We have hired trainers for the courses. The Odissi study would include classroom teaching, activities while the exams would include written tests as well as demonstration of techniques,” said NC Sahoo, IIT dean academic affairs.