BALANGIR: Dulduli, Parva, Karma, Dalkhai. These traditional folk music forms have a special meaning and their significance is reflected in various festivals of Balangir. Although these traditional music forms are fading, yet they come alive during festivals like Dussehra.
The exclusive rhythms of each form has a special meaning that is meant to appease the presiding deity of a particular place. Every year during Durga Puja, these musical forms get a new lease of life.
Tankadhar Mishra, an expert who has done research in traditional music, said folk music differs from place to place. “In Balangir, if one visits a village, he will find musical forms and rhythms changing with the region. For example, Karma music that is dedicated to Karmasani deity, has a different rhythm. But it may sound different in another place,” he said.
Although different presiding deities have different tastes, there is a common music form known as Sula Khadi (sixteen rhythms) which is applicable for all Goddesses representing Shakti. During Shakti puja at various Shakti ‘pithas’ here, Sula Khadi is mandatory to invoke Devi’s blessings.
Historian Sadananda Agrawal said not a single folk music here is bereft of religious connection. “It is the religious connection that makes the affair special. The rhythms are identified with the choices of different Goddesses,” he said.
