Odia Naba Barsha, MahaVishuba & Pana Sankranti , Lord Hanuman Jayanti, Closing Ceremony of DANDA NATA
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Well, Friends! today is the New Year Day for Odias; not only to Odias, but also for the Assamese, Bengalis, Punjabis, Tamils ,Keralites too , who observe the beginning of New Year on this very MahaVishub Sankranti Day. It's a very pious day ,as the Sun stays on the Vishuba Kranti, equator & enters the Northern hemisphere.
Yes, it's also the Birthday of our Mighty Lord Hanuman, the best friend for a good man & the worst enemy of bad guys. He is the Lord of any moment, ready to help its devotees , at any time.
Shree Hanuman commands deep reverence and great respect in the hearts of millions, as He wards off all obstacles & a fountain source of wisdom, courage, solace...
We pray this iconic divine deity, the dearest devotee of Lord Shree Ram.
Yes, today we will discuss on the most primitive Lokanrutya , folk dance of Odisha,the Danda Nata...
D A N D A N A T A.......
Danda Nata literally means, Danda - meaning a pole and Nata - meaning dance.
DandaNata is also called as Danda Jatra, because People assemble to watch n witness the Jatra with devotion.
The presiding deities of Danda Nata are Maa Kalee or simply Kaaleekaa & Lord Shiva ; Hara- Gouree.
According to the famous historian late Lingaraj Mohapatra, DandaNata dates back to Eighth century. It originated from the Boudh & Sonepur regions. The Boudh Kings and rulers of Sonepur patronized the DandaNata, as they were great followers of Shiva- Shakta cults.
DandaNata is celebrated for 13,18 or 21 days, during the month of Chaitra- Baishakh, which falls in the English month of April, first n second weeks.
In Odisha, DandaNata is more prevalent in the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Boudha, Phulbani, Koraput, Bolangir, Sonepur, Nayagarh etc.
Padmapur in Ganjam Dist. is the second largest assembly of Danduas, having 500 to 750 Bhoktas, after Kulada, near Bhanjanagar, which surpasses 1,000 Bhoktas. Patiguda, Palaspur, Punanda, Kumunda, Galeri are the other places in Ganjam , where in DandaNata have been observed
with utmost devotion and tradition scrupulously.
The participant in the DandaNata is called Danduaa or Bhokta. The Danduas adorn themselves with ochre robes, peacock feathered brooms, flags etc.
Yes, they all bear the sacred threads, the Paitaa.
DandaNata is performed in three phases, i.e. Dhuli Danda, the acrobatics ; Paani Danda, the aquatic feats ; Agni Danda, the Fire Plays - during noon, afternoon and night times , respectively.
The Danduas exhibit agricultural work episodes in day time. In the night, Jatra is organised, where in characters on Hara-Parbatee, Chaddheiya, Singer- Commentator (Beenakar), Saura Saurini etc. are performed. These educate , entertain local people, with awe inspiring devotion to Shiva-Kalee.
What are the messages of DandaNata to our Society ?
People of all castes participate in DandaNata. They observe non- violence , team spirit, take Prasada in a Group, strict no no to intoxicants, robust physical exercises- such as parading, rolling under hot Sun, dancing , singing etc.
Danda Nata practically practice n preach peace,brotherhood , non- violence, healthy habits, literacy to the masses, as vouched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Let us come forward to keep up this most primitive unique traditions of Danda Nata, in these modern days too.
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(Text : Surendra Nath Pradhan , Village- Padmapur ,Post- Pudamari , Dist. Ganjam, ODISHA, India)
