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Going `mad' with fervour!

Sib Kumar Das

A more bizarre ritual takes over the streets

BERHAMPUR: It is quite an entertainment for many to dress up and behave like madmen threatening to extort money from people on street during Thakurani Jatra festival.

They are called `Gajia Pagal' and are part of carnival spirit during this unique festival of fancy dress for adults and children. Amidst the crowd of replicas of mythological characters like Krishna, Ram, Hanuman, Parsuram etc during Thakurani Jatra festival, the people who take up the garb of `Gajia Pagal' stand out.

Shock appearance

They paint their body black, wear rags and try to give a disgusting look to appearance. They hold a stone in one hand and threaten to throw it at anyone, which they never do. They dance around in groups like mad men on the streets and try to surprise any unknowing bystander with their loud howls. In a mocking manner they press upon people to pay them up as if it is their birthright. But they are satisfied with small change put into the tins bound to their neck or waist. According to Tripati Nayak, who has tried to document the rituals during Thakurani Jatra, this garb may have its relation with the mischief and extortion of Maratha warriors in areas of south Orissa after the fall of Maratha Empire. These stray warriors without masters and motive had allegedly behaved like mad men on extortion rampage in parts of Orissa during that period.

But Pradip Mohapatra of BU says this tradition denotes the creativity of people of yesteryears of Berhampur.

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