Of processions and dances
SARAT CHANDRA
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Procession is a must for most of these functions.
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BLUE GODDESS Prabha Natcha in a religious procession.
Aswina (September-October) is the month of religious processions in Orissa, especially in the southern part, where many practices (such as Kothisala, Janhiosha, Kumara Purnima, Kalua Jatra) take place. Procession is a must for most of these functions — for example in Kalua Jatra at the Gosaninua Gram locality in Bramhapur every year, the presiding deity Devi Kalua goes around the area in a procession.
A decorative mask dance — `Prava Natcha' adds beauty and grandeur to the procession. This processional folk item is also known as `Raja Rani' and `Sapa Sapuani.'
To call what the dancer wears a mask may be a misnomer, since it (the image) covers the performer's head and shoulders. It is a colourful, attractive bust-size artwork, produced with painstaking labour and aesthetic sensibility. There are a limited number of themes that are used for the images: Devi (Goddess), Ganesh, Hanuman, Gayatri, Raja (king), Rani (queen), Chamanda. But most common is the Goddess from the Shakti cult category. There are many variations of Durga — starting from Durga with two hands, one with 10 hands. They are in different colours from white-coloured to the red, black, blue, molten-gold coloured that are used for the art works for Prabha Natcha.
The torso of the image is made of bamboo strips, the face and hands is made of solapith. Finally on the entire structure a paste made out of saw dust and vegetable gum is applied. Once it dries it is coloured with varnish. The images of Goddesses are painted predominantly in red or black, but there are blue, yellow and white hued images as well. All the images are nicely ornamented, with spangle and plastic beads of various sizes. The prabha behind the head of each deity is also decorated with spangle and beads.
The dancer gets into the `mask' and supports it on his head. Changu, a folk instrument, provides the rhythm for the dance. A limited number of tales are used for this processional dance. While moving the dancer swings from left to right, but when the procession stops one can get to see variety of footwork of the dancer (known as akhada). These larger-than-life images appear imposing and colourful.
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