Odisha Artistes Welcome Ban On Obscene Dance & Acts In Jatras

Bhubaneswar: Artistes have come out to welcome the Odisha government’s move to ban “obscene” acts and dance during Jatra and melody programmes and double meaning dialogues. While strongly supporting the move, jatra artistes wanted action in case of violations.

Talking to media persons, artiste Rani Priyadarshini, who is known for her ‘item dance’ in Jatras, welcomed the ban. However, she said the administration should take action wherever such violations are noticed and committed during Jatra performance.

“I have all along been opposing obscene elements in Jatra programmes. However, it is often seen that such restrictions are thrown to the winds. At a recent Jatra performance at Khandagiri, a well known artiste (without naming her) had crossed the limits of decency in the performance and even delivered vulgar dialogues, despite the administration having restricted such vulgar stuffs. Where was the administration to stop it? The administration should walk its talk,” she lamented, adding that such vulgar stuffs in any form should be strictly banned everywhere.

Reacting to the ban, senior Jatra artiste and secretary of Odisha Jatra Kalakar Mahasangh Bapi Panda welcome the move and sought cooperation from people from all walks of life for its effective implementation.

“The Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department has taken the right step to check invasion of obscene elements in the field of entertainment. Legal action should be taken against those trying to encourage degradation and foul the Odia language, culture and entertainment. Hence, all the district collectors have been directed to enforce the restrictions to curb vulgarity in the entertainment,” he said.

It may be noted here that the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department said “People are finding it difficult to watch these entertainment programmes with family members due to excessive display of vulgar dance and double meaning dialogues.”

The government directive further said that such vulgarity and double meaning songs and dance are destroying the tradition and culture of the state, apart from having a negative impact on the youth.

The department has asked the officials to mention about the restriction while issuing permission for such shows. “In case of violation, necessary action will be taken against them,” it added.