In Nabarangpur, religious lines blur, Christmas party begins

Then, taking a much-needed breather, Patnaik, who is in charge of the arrangements, said, “This is the biggest day for the community in Nabarangpur. A huge number of non-Christians, too, will turn up at the church to enjoy Christmas with us.”

Although there are just about 32,000 Christians, most of them Protestants, in the district as per the 2011 Census, in a population of 12 lakh, Christmas in Nabarangpur town is as much a part of the local tradition as Durga Puja.

“It is perhaps the only district which did not see any communal problem during the 2008 Kandhamal riots,” said Lalit Patnaik, a retired teacher and former member of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi.

“It is time for reflection, it is time for a carnival, too. We have planned a slow-bike race, a running race for senior citizens, a tombola and a fancy dress competition tomorrow. But the underlying spirit is one of devotion,” said Amit Naya, a 32-year-old shopkeeper who for the last few days has spent sleepless nights stringing balloons and stars inside the church.

Until 2010, the town used to congregate for Christmas inside a 110-year-old Lutheran church with a tin roof. Built by German missionaries, the church was one of the earliest buildings in town. But with its walls slowly cracking, the community built a bigger church in February 2010.

“We built it from our own funds. No help was sought from anyone,” said Patnaik, who works as a social security officer in Papadahandi. “The community may be small. But when it is determined to do something, it does.”

A few feet away, Sukumar Suna, a keyboard player for the evening choir, was busy humming tunes. “Our members have practised hard since last week. We will be singing five songs, including two original compositions,” said Suna, who works as a sub-postmaster.

At the Nabarangpur main market, stationery shop owner Sanyasi Rao watched customers haggling over the price of Christmas trees, stars, Santa Claus costumes, balloons and LED lights. “I do brisk business during this time of the year. Most of the demand is for stars, balloons and candles,” said Rao.

By noon, Nabarangpur town was all decked up with bamboo gates wrapped in colourful clothes and a huge red star near the JLEC church.

As the sun dipped, a stream of worshippers started making their way to the church for evening mass. Among them was autorickshaw driver Santosh Sathu, who said, “Tomorrow, I will not take out my auto. I will just eat and then sleep. From the next day, it will be life as usual.”