The rhythms of Sambalpuri dance and music echoed in the Capital City this week and drew folk music lovers in large numbers. Organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Regional Museum of Natural History on Monday, the Sambalpuri folk dances, performed by artistes of Bargarh-based Sambalpuri Folk Akademi, were a visual treat.
Choreographed by Rabi Ratan Sahu, the dancers performed the famous Dalkhai folk dance to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments like ‘dhol’, ‘nisan’, ‘tasa’ and ’mahuri’. The dance is performed to pay obeisance to Goddess Dalkhai, who is worshipped by village girls wishing for the well being of their brothers.
The second performance of the evening was Jhi Janam, which narrated the fun filled anecdotes of a girl from her childhood to adolescence. Various games that a girl plays like ‘Chilolai’, ‘Humo’, ‘Rasidegani’, ‘Manjo’ and ‘Loklukani’ were presented by the dancers dressed in beautiful Sambalpuri sarees and silver and conch ornaments. The last dance of the evening was ‘Pakhana Upare Jharana Pani’, which explored the love and passion among people of Western Odisha.
Singers Naveen Kuanr and Sanju Deep then entertained the audience with Sambalpuri songs like’Keve Sujhiba Biha Lagan’, Kasi Baunsara Pati’ and ‘Aahare Guva Mandara’.
ICCR Regional Director, Radharaman Chaterjee said Western Odisha has an enormous wealth of folk art forms manifesting human feelings in rhythmic expressions. The objective of the event was to promote the performing art forms of the region.
Bargarh Sambalpuri Folk Akademi was established in 2003 and besides performance and training, is also involved in research and new choreographic presentations on the music and dance of Western Odisha.