Odisha: COVID Robs Livelihood Of ‘Sakhi Kandhei’ Puppeteers

Bhubaneswar: The puppeteers of Palakana village in Odisha’s Kendrapada district are struggling hard to keep the folk art of ‘Sakhi Kandhei Nacha’ (a puppet dance alive.

The folk art, which had gained popularity in other states as well as overseas, is now under the threat of losing its existence. Curbs on movement of people and performances during the COVID pandemic has further added to the trouble of Palakana puppeteers.

Once popular, the puppeteers of Sakhi Kandhei Nacha earned handsome money to manage their families. They were in demand during festivals and fairs but, today the art is on the verge of extinction.

Meanwhile, corona pandemic has only added to their difficulties. “Palakana village in Kendrapada district is famous for puppet dance. Besides, Sakhi Kandhei dance of Mantripada village here is the hub of puppetry. The puppeteers were creating awareness on several issues, among the people through the folk dance. Today, they have lost their work. The government should take action to revive this folk dance,” said Amar Biswal, a social worker.

More than 12 artists of Palakana are working hard to keep this art form alive. They are still performing this dance for their livelihood. They go to different places for performance but earn peanuts due to waning interest among the people.

“This is a tough time for us for our survival. The corona pandemic has ruined everything. Since last one and half year, we do not have any work. I request state government to take some steps for the survival of the artists,” said Alekha Mallick, a puppeteer.

The puppeteers use colourfully decorated dolls to narrate lively stories of legends or mythology or even tell-tales. Artists sing Sambalpuri and other folk songs while making the dolls dance. I modern day, these shows are mostly used to create awareness among the people on social issues or disease.

Sakhi Kandhei Nacha is puppet dance. In this folk dance, the puppeteers control the movements of the colourful puppets with the help of strings. They hold the strings so tactfully, that audience cannot see the strings and hands of the puppeteers.