TV
The famed Jau Kandhei Bahaghara, lacquer puppet wedding, of Balasore concluded in spectacular fashion on Friday.
Thousands of people gathered to witness the symbolic marriage of lacquer puppets groom Aparti and bride Gurei at the Lokanath Temple in Sahadevkhunta. The groom arrived with a grand procession for the ritual.
Month-Long Rituals Culminate in Vedic Ceremony
The marriage, conducted with Vedic rituals, followed a month-long schedule beginning on Dola Purnima, when the dolls were named. Their idols were sculpted on Ram Navami.
The final ceremony, held during an auspicious time on Friday, marked the union of Aparti and Gurei at the Lokanath Temple.
Traditional Art, Music, and Dance Mark Procession
The grand procession also featured various cultural acts, including Sahi Jata from Puri, Ranga Dhol from Balasore, Pitula Dance from Dubalagad, Paika Akhada from Manika Khamba, Laudi from Bhadrak, and tribal dances from Nilagiri.
A Celebration of Culture and Values, Say Families
“This festival teaches us how a marriage should be conducted and how to nurture the bond between husband and wife. The wedding followed proper Hindu rituals,” said Pitambar Das from the groom’s side.
Nilamani Mandal, from the bride’s side, added, “Balasore has been organising this festival since 2011. We observed all the customary traditions followed in Odia weddings.”
Keeping the Jau Kandhei Tradition Alive
The symbolic doll marriage has been organised for the past 15 years to revive the nearly extinct craft of lacquer puppet. Over time, it has grown into a public celebration with increasing participation each year.
Every season, the names of the bride and groom dolls are chosen, and a specific location in Balasore is selected for the wedding.
Reviving Heritage Through Community Involvement
Dr Kumar Gupal, Secretary of the Jau Kandhei Bahaghara Utsav Committee, said, “This festival highlights our values and traditions. We used to play with dolls in childhood, but all of that is slowly fading away. The idea was to revive it. A family named Savitri Nandi sustained this tradition by crafting the dolls and preserving the custom. In fact, they made a livelihood from it.”
Brahma Rath, another committee member, added, “We have been hosting this event for the last 21 years. Our aim is to reconnect the younger generation with these traditional dolls, as they are now more attracted to foreign-made toys.”
Growing Recognition for a Unique Cultural Legacy
By giving Jau Kandhei a new cultural identity, the festival is keeping a rare art form alive. As the celebrations grow in scale every year, more and more people from across the region are joining in to witness Balasore’s this unique tradition.
