DHENKANAL: Adding a distinct flavour to Durga Puja celebration is the Paika dance in Talaborekote village here. Performers dressed as Paikas or warriors enact battle scenes through their dance. Paikas played a significant role in providing defence service to Kings during the British rule.
Women in large number here performed pujas in their homes and wished the warriors on the occasion of Dussehra on Saturday. Music played by orchestra parties welcomed the Paikas who marched in a procession. They were welcomed by every community and women applied tilak on their foreheads after conducting the rituals.
The Paikas holding traditional weapons performed different types of war dance on roads before reaching Chandi temple in the village. Dressed in white attire, they came in groups.
The Paikas performed different types of war dance like Khandakhel, Tasar, Badikhel, Baghakhel, Ghodadian, Bheti with sticks and traditional weapons.
Thousands of people from nearby villages and district headquarters thronged to witness the traditional dance of the Paikas. A teacher Bichitrananda Rout of the village said influenced by the rich history of the Paikas, parents are encouraging their children to take admission in NCC wing. Several children in the region have also excelled in national level competitions, he added.
The Dalapati or leader of Paikas Dhaneswar Dhal said they used to render warfare service to kings and were assigned to handle law and order situation. The Paikas were in charge of protecting the kingdom from enemy.
Another senior Paika dancer Bana Bihari Das said the Government should encourage the Paika dance and recognise their contribution.