Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 7: The four-day Loknatya Mahotsav organised by the department of culture and Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi at Bhanja Kala Mandap concluded here Tuesday. Scores of people thronged the mandap to enjoy the last show of the Mahotsav.
On the concluding day of the mahotsav, a folk dance titled ‘Dandanata’ by Maa Dakhinakali Dandanata troupe was performed which received huge applause from the audience.
Around 16 dancers performed the folk dance. Dressed in female attire, the male dancers gave full justice to their characters. The dance form is very popular in Dhenkanal, Angul and nearby areas.
“Dandanata is a traditional dance form which is performed in praise of Lord Shiva. When pilgrims visit the shrine to take the blessing of the Lord after a fast and foot march, they rest in the premises of the temple. For the entertainment of the pilgrims, Dandanata used to be performed. It is a dance form where various incidents related to Lord Shiva are performed. But sadly the art from is on the decline, and we through our troupe are trying to keep the tradition alive,” said Nirmal Naik, director of the dance troupe.
“Dandanata was performed in the city for the first time and we are very enthusiastic about it. Normally there are 16 verses in the dance, but here we are performing only four verses which includes hadi-hadiyani, Shiva-parvati, kelu-keluni, binkar-binkarni with support of traditional musical instruments like dholak, mahuri and jhumka,” Naik said.
“The event has been received very well by the audience. The hall was always packed on all days for all shows,” said Satchi Mohanty, anchor of the show.
According to the organising committee, Mughal Tamasa that was performed Monday was the showpiece of the event.
“The mahotsav was a very good initiative as it gave us an opportunity to view some of the best dramas performed in a traditional way. I have attended all the shows and mostly loved the performances in Prahallad Nataka and Mughal Tamsa,” said Sanjeev Pani, a visitor.
