For hundreds of years, Odisha’s folk arts or folkdance have helped flourish the rich culture and heritage of the state. Traditional folk art is the identity, a gateway to the state, and has always been considered an inspiration for the future generations. Unfortunately, slowly and gradually, that identity had been fading away over the years. ‘Pratyabartan’ is a unique initiative aimed at restoring the glorious ancient traditions. A brainchild of Debadasi Dance Acedemy, the event in the last 10 years has given an opportunity to numerous folk artistes to resurrect and enliven the dying folk arts.
By: Devbrat Patnaik
Last updated: 22 December 2021, 01:20 PM IST
This year, the key attraction of Pratyabartan was the famous tiger dance or ‘Bagha Nacha’ and DDA had invited folk artistes from Ganjam district for a performance at Utkal Mandap in Bhubaneswar.
The performers paint their bodies with yellow and black stripes like a tiger with a tail and dance to the beats of traditional percussion instruments.
A play revolving around Tiger Dance.
Wearing heavy tiger costumes & wooden masks, dancers leapt across to capture the deer. This is a part of the act the group was performing.
Bagha Nacha is a popular folk dance performed by artistes in Ganjam, Subarnapur and a few other districts. This dance form is a highlight of the Berhampur's month-long festival 'Thakurani Jatra'.