Berhampur: The second edition of ‘Lokakala Mahotsav’ showcasing the folk art and culture of Odisha’s Ganjam district concluded with performance by 14 troupes on Sunday.
The 2-day cultural extravaganza was organised by Isha Vision and Paryatan Bharat at Biju Patnaik Sanskruti Bhavan in Berhampur.
Artists of 14 folk art troupes of Ganjam performed ‘Danda Nrutya’ and ‘Chadheiya Suanga’ and mesmerised the audience on the two days. “We are showcasing only two folk arts of Ganjam, ‘Danda Nrutya’ and ‘Chadheiya Suanga’ this year and will focus on two more next year,” said Narayan Mahankud, working president of the Lokakala Mahotsav Committee and also the editor of The Paryatan Bharat.
“While 39 out of 64 folk arts of Ganjam have become extinct due to neglect, we are trying to keep some art forms alive through Lokakala Mahotsav,” he added.
The Lokakala Mahotsav was inaugurated by eminent folk art researcher Bayamanu Charchi. Berhampur MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu, MLA Bikram Kumar Panda and others attended the Mahotsav.
According to historians, Danda Nacha is one of major theatrical forms associated with the Saivism. It has its root in the religious and cultural history of Odisha with special reference to Hindu deities. The Danda (penance) elucidates the Rudrakali narrating the activities of Lord Siva and Kali. Its origin is traced to the 8th and 9th centuries after the decline of Buddhism in Odisha.
“Danda means penance and Nacha means dance. Together they mean a festival celebrated for the worship of Siva in which penance, dance, songs and physical feats are performed,” they said.
