Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav
Venue: Sambalpur Lokmandap
Time: generally fist week of January
But last 14th Sambalpur Lok Mahotsava held during 24th Feb
2010 to 27th February 2010
Western Orissa has developed a unique culture which expresses
itself in a language called Sambalpuri that is distinct from
Oriya. The folk songs and dances of Sambalpur are not only
expressions of emotions but also of finer elements of life
and living scientifically, fused into the rhythm of the
percussion instruments of the region. In fact, the songs and
dances have been revived and recognised in the past quarter
of a century. In Orissa, Sambalpuri dance is so popular that
it comes next only to the State.
The Sambalpuri dance has a number of forms, with different
lyrics and rhythms, that have originated from different
castes/tribes and ethnic groups in the area and are based on
different religious festivals/rituals and deities. Although
a number of folk instruments were used in Sambalpuri music,
song and dance, only four among the oldest percussion
instruments such as dhol, mandal, nishan and tasha are now
used. .
The western Orissa has also great variety of dance forms
unique to Orissa culture.The children's verses are known as
"Chhiollai", "Humobauli" and "Dauligit", the adolescent
poems are "Sajani", "Chhata", "Daika", "Bhekani" : the
eternal youth composes "Rasarkeli", "Jaiphul", "Maila Jada",
"Bayamana", "Gunchikuta" and "Dalkhai", The work-man's
poetry comprises "Karma" and "Jhumer" pertaining to
Vishwakarma and the "Karamashani" deities. The professional
entertainers perform Dand, Danggada, Mudgada, Ghumra,
Sadhana, sabar – Sabaren, Disdigo, Nachina – Bajnia,
Samparda and Sanchar. They are for all occasions, for all
time with varieties of rhythm and rhyme. Pala is a unique
form of balladry in Orissa, which artistically combines
elements of theatre, classical Odissi music, highly refined
Oriya and Sanskrit poetry, wit, and humour. The literal
meaning of pala is turn. It is more sophisticated than the
other Oriya ballad tradition, Daskathia. Pala is presented
in three ways. The names can be mentioned as baithaki or
`seated`, in which the performers sit on the ground
throughout. The other one is thia or `standing`. This is
more popular and aesthetically more satisfying, in which
they stand. Badi is a kind of thia in which two groups vie
for excellence. This is the most entertaining, as there is
an element of competitation
