Art for everyone
SARAT CHANDRA
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The painting work is usually completed before Dasara.
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RURAL THEME Kothisala wall painting.
It is an art. It is a song, a dance, a ritual — all rolled into one. Kothisala, held in the month of Aswin and Kartik every year in the Ganjam District of Orissa, is a folk-form that not only embraces diverse cultural expressions but also involves the entire society. Every household in the community must contribute for Kothisala. Women go out in pairs seeking contribution from every household, even if it is only a handful of rice. It really is unique.
Kothisala evidently is rural based. It is also practised in some localities of Bramhapur in south Orissa. The centre of Kothisala is a community hall, known as "Kotha." A painting by a folk artist is done on the wall, which makes the venue evident. The entire wall is painted with illustrations. The theme of the mural is Lord Shiva and His Consort. Colours such as black, green, blue and red are dominantly used to draw the illustrations. At the centre of panel images of Lord Shiva and manifestations of His Consort (Parbati, Kali, Mangala and Durga) are drawn. Many other images of smaller dimensions and varied themes are also presented. The painting work is usually completed before Dasara.
Kothisala starts with Dasara. Women bring five pots of water from a tank and place it near the wall for consecration. Kothisala involves diverse activities of artistic significance. A young man, clad in sari, carries a pot of water on his head and dances in a particular style. Artistes sing and dance during the nights. An improvised musical instrument called "Dhana Koila" provides the music. An earthen pot, known as "Kula" (used for winnowing rice), a bow and an arrow with ankle bells are used for this musical instrument. The principal participant of the song and repartee session is known as "Gaani" and he plays the improvised Dhana Koila instrument. The night session stretches for hours.
The Kothisala festivities last until Kartik Purnima (35 days). The pots are again taken in a procession to the tank.
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