BHUBANESWAR: The 15th edition of Raahgiri on Sunday will present an extravaganza of traditional dance forms like Ranapa, Chhau and Odissi. Chhau from Mayurbhanj is a famous martial-art-cum-war dance form while Ranapa from Ganjam is performed on a stilt.
The Ranapa artistes standing on stilts dance with utmost ease to the accompaniment of ‘Dhol’ and ‘Mahuri’ (musical instruments). Songs relating to the boyhood exploits of Lord Krishna are also sung intermittently. An organisation will showcase life-size elephant models near the main stage during the Raahgiri celebration.
City-based Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust in VSS Nagar will organise the two traditional dance forms.
Ranapa is prevalent among the cowherd communities of South Odisha, mainly in Ganjam district. With the National Day Against Child Labour falling on April 20, City-based People’s Cultural Centre has planned to organise cultural activities on the theme ‘voice against child labour’.
Environment issues like global warming, climate change and water scarcity will be highlighted by NGO Hum Hain through street plays. During Raahgiri’s 10th edition, the organisation had created awareness on pollution, corruption and female foeticide through street acts.
Music groups from different organisations associated with Raahgiri since January 17 will entertain the crowd on two stages. The Raahgiri timing will be from 6 am to 8.30 am.