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The Tribals who constitute about one fourth of the total
population of Orissa have very
many dances of secular, religious and seasonal in character. Living in the
midst of nature their dances and songs are vivid, temperamental and
attuned to nature herself. Nature is always the strongest inspiration for
them, coupled with the customs and religious heritage.
The
Spring Time Dances
The colourful spring time dance of the 'Santals' with their musical
instrument, 'Madal' performed by the maidens, their pastoral dance during
ripening of grain, the dance of the 'Kolha' at the time of planting of the
seeds in honour of their deity is performed by men and women. The dances
of the Gonds done in dedication to their deity 'Bhimsen' at harvesting
festival time, marriage celebrations accompanied by several musical
instruments like the horned-drums, flutes and many clarions.
The spring dance of the 'Bhattara' with beautiful dresses, silver
ornaments of women, flushed as they move and the colourful turbans of the
men stuck with peacock feathers. The 'Sua' dance of the Sambalpur tribes
performed by the young girls in the spirit of adventure and romance
accompanied by drummers and musicians.
The ring dance of the 'Oron' performed during all festivals and in the
spring and autumn seasons in a circle. The women dancers placing their
arms at the back of their neighbours and clasping the hands of the next,
the courtship dances of 'Ho'. The 'Jhadia Paraja' dance exhibiting
graceful movement and artistic skill, the colourful dance of the 'Gadaba',
the dance of the 'Koya's with the headdress of Bison horn. Women dressed
in colourful attires with iron sticks in hands making a jingling sound in
accompaniment of musical instruments.
The
dance of the 'Kutal Kandha' with the single stringed 'Dungadunga', the
peacock, sparrow, vulture, deer dances of 'Juang' to the tune of their
musical instrument, 'Changu' and 'Badakatha', and a wide variety of dances
clearly give an idea how the culture of the tribals born out of nature and
attuned to nature can live and flourish spontaneously.
These are just a few representative examples of the tribal dances of
Orissa. The tribal dance itself is vast in variety indicating their
importance in the social and religious life of the people.