Dhenkanal: Puppetry is synonymous with Dhenkanal district. The availability of all sorts of modern forms of entertainment these days notwithstanding, the puppets dancing on string ends are hugely popular. The people’s love for this art form is seen to be believed.
There are 14 traditional art forms in Dhenkanal district. String puppet dance is one of them. There are over 18 puppet dance troupes in the district and all of them are active. If this ancient art form is still surviving the onslaught of film, TV, internet, mobile phones and web series, it is due to the tireless efforts of some master performers like guru Raghunath Pradhan, Sushant Dhal, Nabakishore Dhal, Binay Dhal, Rabi Jena, Gagan Dhal, Bhagirathy Sahu, Braj Dhal and Kailas Jena. They are earning their livelihood from staging puppet shows on a regular basis. They have been in this profession for the last 30 to 40 years.
According to some senior gurus, till 60 years ago, the artists from Berhampur in Ganjam district would come to Dhenknal district. They would stay here, construct puppets and organise shows. Later, the present gurus who were then youths with little knowledge of puppetry evinced interest to learn the art. Now they are carrying on the decades-old tradition.
There are four types of puppet shows. They are ‘Hand Puppet’, ‘String Puppet’, ‘Rod Puppet’ and ‘Shadow Puppet’. The last form is of puppet show is also known as ‘Ravan Chhaya’.
Puppet shows do not need an auditorium or a hall. They can be conducted on makeshift stages also. The lifeless wooden puppets measuring between one foot and two feet come alive once they get the touches from their masters. They are made of lightweight wood. One by one, the puppets appear as per the story, mostly a mythological one, and give the audience an engrossing viewing experience. The masters not only give movements to these puppets but also produce different sounds as per the requirement.
This art form, at one point of time regarded as dying art, was given a fresh lease of life in 2011. Thanks to the effort of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Zilla, Block and Nagar Kala Sanskruti Sangha were formed to save ancient art forms from dying. And it has made a huge difference to the puppet art form.
According to District Folk Artists’ Association, vice- chairman, Abani Mishra, the puppet dance of Dhenkanal district has its own identity. “Since 2011, folk art forms and songs are being used for propagating government schemes and programmes. So the puppeteers have been getting some projects and earning their livelihood. We are told that we will get more orders from the district administration in the coming days,” he added.
When contacted, guru Sushant Kumar Dhal of Raidihi village said, “I have been in the profession since 1972. The puppet dance has seen many ups and downs. It has its popularity but it will net fill our stomachs. Our children are not showing interest to carry on the profession as our payments are not encouraging enough. If it receives more patronage from the government, then some may come forward to keep alive the art form.”
In this regard, project coordinator, Culture Department, Basudev Malabisoi said, “Puppet dance is one of the popular art forms in the state. It has its own viewership. It is the best medium to carry government’s messages to people. The artists’ fates have been financially secured after them being included in the Zilla Kala Sanskruti Sangha, Block Kala Sanskruti Sangha and Nagar Kala Sanskruti Sangha.
PNN
