Culture Call

“We train the young living in cities to dance like the villagers and perform wherever and whenever there is an invitation from,” he says and Sasmita from the troupe adds,”We have performed in Delhi,Patiala,Jaipur,Sikkim and so many other cities across the country.” The troupe comprises part-time performers who are students or working people as “the performances don’t fetch enough for anyone to sustain solely on,” says Sahu,happy that the centuries-old traditions are at least not forgotten altogether. He heads an organisation Ukia (which means light) dedicated to the cause of keeping the dance forms alive.

“Our performance on Orissa Day at the Ganna Sansthan auditorium on Wednesday would comprise four different dances,” informs the troupe leader,elaborating each. Dalkhai dance is performed for the well-being of brothers,while Karma is a tribal dance performed during the Bhadra month,invoking blessings of the Almighty for a good crop. The celebration of harvest is with Dhab,which is performed by Kandh tribals even on the occasion of wedding.

Along with the performance,which would begin at 6:30 pm,visitors would also have the opportunity to see ‘pattachitra’ art on the walls of the auditorium. “Patta is the traditional canvas made of old cloth soaked in tamarind water and Kolkati ‘khadi’ (clay),” informs Oriya artist Brajeshwar Patnaik. He has brought with him specimens of his art for display. “The pictures are all made of natural colours from material like crushed seashells for white,soot of lamps for black and shades derived from rocks,clay and sand,” says the State award-winning artist,whose pictures and wall-hangings have patrons all over the world. He has an offer from Japan to make Buddha pictures.