Jatra actress Nisha Maharana on Sunday faced strong opposition from none other than the jatra artistes. The infuriated artistes threatened that they would boycott the stage if Nisha performs.
Sources said, a jatra show is going on at Badamulubasanta in Kendrapara district. It was rumoured that Nisha would perform an item dance in the show. At this, the artistes went off the handle and started opposing the artiste.
On the other hand, some artistes observed that they should wait till her performance. If her performance is found to be vulgar, then only she would be opposed, they maintained.
“At a time when the government has put a ban on the vulgar dance and double entendres, we should obey it. All the artistes and the Jatra Kalakar o Karmachari Sangha are also opposing vulgar dance presentation,” said Pratap Mohanty, a jatra artiste.
Echoing the same, another artiste Dayanidhi said, “I started opposing her since when her name was announced at the time of melody. If she goes on to the stage, my team would boycott the stage.”
On the other hand, Jatra Committee president, Sanjay Lenka said, “Nisha Maharana has been invited as a dancer. A dancer doesn’t always perform vulgar dance. Her vulgar dance should be opposed but she shouldn’t be.”
Notably, the State government has banned the performances of obscene and vulgar dance and double-meaning dialogues in jatra shows in the State. The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, in a letter to all district Collectors and Superintendent of Police (SPs), recently directed them to take immediate action to restrict vulgar dance and double-meaning dialogues on jatra stage in the name of entertainment.
Then, it was Nisha who opposed the government's move.