Posts filed under ‘Ghumra’
Ghumura:A scholarly researched and cultivated folk dance
Following report is from http://www.breakingnewsonline.net:
NewsRoom: Numbers of national recognition have been given to different dance forms such as Odishi, Chhau, Ranapa etc and in various other spheres from Orissa, but not any single recognition for Ghumura so far?
Is it becau
se scholars of Ghumura lack political lobby or because it belongs to KBK and does not belong to a particular region continuously favored by the Orissa state? Ghumura is more popular than Ranapa.
Ghumura is much ahead of many other dance forms in Orissa in terms of popularity of folk dance. It is more scholarly researched, cultivated and has a history of at least thousand years.
Not to blame achievement of any other folk dance, however, despite not being suitable in terms of connectivity and distance for rest of South Orissa, the favoritism, including for RDC office, educational institutions, High Court branch etc, by various chief ministers towards their home district Ganjam in the name of South Orissa may be well established by making rest of South Orissa including undivided Kalahandi, Koraput and Kandhama—Boudh backward, neglected and marginalized in various areas that include culture too.
Ghumura is one of the most sought and leading folk dance form in Orissa. It is classified as folk dance as the dress code of Ghumura resembles more like a tribal dance, but recent researchers argue different mudra and dance form present in Ghumura bear more resemblance with other classical dance form of India and the dance is not limited to tribal only.
The dance is associated with social entertainment, relaxation, love, devotion and friendly brotherhood among all class, creed and religion in the present days and can be classified as classical dance. Traditionally this dance is also associated with Nuakhai and Dasahara celebration in large parts of South and Western Orissa.
Ghumura dance is still popularly hidden in the village level in South Orissa, Western Orissa, Central Orissa and some parts of bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Kalahandi is mainly known as land of Ghumura and has taken a leading rule in popularizing and retaining its unique identity of Ghumura dance.
Ghumura dance has got the opportunity to represent the nation in various international events Delhi, Moscow, Kolkata, and various other cities in India.
Despite that it’s most neglected and marginalized by Government of Orissa, which is not giving equal recognition to Ghumura and its scholars and playing politics over the matter.
Contributed by Dr. Digambara Patra, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
National Ghumura Research Center at Bhawanipatna
To
Shri Naveen Patnaik, Honorable Chief Minister of Orissa
Smt Ambika Soni, Honorable Minister of Culture & Toursm
CC
Smt Pratibha Patil, Honorable President of India
Dr Manmohan Singh, Honorable Prime Minister of India
Media
Dear honorable Shri Patnaik and Smt Soni,
Research work by Dr Dolagobinda Bisi, Jayanta Kumar Behera, Parameswar
Mund, Dr Mahendra Mishra, Dr Dasarathi Achraya, Gopinath Mohanty, etc
[1-2] quite unique and distinct in terms of popular culture of Orissa
region, one of the researcher has mentioned that among the districts
in Orissa, probably Kalahandi could be one of the district having more
number of different dance forms (comprising tribal and non-tribal
dances such as Ghumura, Banabadi dance, Dongira Kondh dance, Dalkhai,
Rasarkeli, Dhab, Dhimsa dance, Butia Kondh dance, Gan dance, Paraja
dance, Madal dance etc) compared to any other single district in
Orissa.
Even many such researchers think Ghumra has not got equal status like
Chau in the national level. After Odishi and Sambalpuri Dance, Ghumura
is one of the most sought dance form in Orissa. Though it is thought
to be a popular was dance in ancient India, its identity is still
hidden in the village level in one of the backward pockets of India
comprising South Western Orissa, Northern Andhra Pradesh and Eastern
Chhattisgarh, more popularly confined to KBK-Kandhamal region.
Researchers [1] point out origin of Ghumura dance is related to
mythological days of Ramayana where it was used as an instrument for
warrior music by Ravana. It is depicted in Sarala Das’s Purana [2].
Ghumura was also mentioned as an instrument for warrior music/dance
form in ancient and medieval period by various kings & kingdoms.
Later on it has evolved from a war dance to a dance form for cultural
and social activities. The dance is associated with social
entertainment, relaxation, love, devotion and friendly brotherhood
among all class, creed and religion in the present days. Traditionally
this dance is also associated with Nuakhai and Dasahara celebration in
many parts of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Although dress code of Ghumura resembles more like a tribal dance,
researchers argue [1-2] different mudra and dance form present in
Ghumura bear more resemblance with other classical dance form of
India. It is no way inferior to any other folk or classical dance in
India and should not be derecognized as a tribal dance as it is being
played by both tribal and non-tribal people since centuries.
In present days rarely there was any organization like Mahabir
Sankrutik Anustan who has been at leat trying to retain such rich
dance culture of ancient time still hidden in tribal and backward
pockets of India, predominantly in KBK region.
Unfortunately Ministry of Culture, Government of India has not yet
classified this one of the rarest ancient dance in the official
classical form derecognizing as a tribal dance. It is very importance
that ministry of culture gives equal importance to this rare and
unique form of Indian dance form in the national level.
As there is neither sufficient funding, encouragement, nor any
national research center, nor even any national recognition for
Ghumura dance or for its artist, this unique and rarest dance is
slowly vanishing and losing its hidden charisma and beauty in modern
days.
Although many artists from various Indian dances have been recognized
by Padma Shri, Padma Bibhusan etc, Ghumura artists were not yet
equally rewarded by the national government recognitions in the same
level.
I urge the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Orissa state
Government to take necessary steps to give special fellowship, funding
and recognition for Ghumura and its devoted artist working in the
backward pockets of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Apart from National Chhau Centre at Baripada, a National Ghumura
Research Center at Bhawanipatna is required at this hour for not
losing this rarest and unique Ghumura dance forever.
For the above mentioned reasons Orissa state Government may also
consider to have a center/branch of Utkal University of Culture in
Bhawanipatna to educate and carry out research work on various dance
form of South Western Orissa and KBK-Kandhamal region (Kalahandi
region has one of the most diverse verities of dance forms as it is
the melting point of Western Orissa, Southern Orissa and Chhattisgarh
Culture) as well as to study culture and languages present in South
Western Orissa (Languages also include verities of tribal and
non-tribal languages in one specific region of KBK-Kandhamal-Boudh).
References
1. Loka Nutrya Ghumura, Edited by Parameswar Mund, Mahabir
Sanskrutika, Anusthan, June 2002
2. Kalahandi: Loka Anusthan, Edited by Jayanta Kumar Behera, Dr
Dolagobinda Bisi, Parameswar Mund, Mahabir Sanskrutika Anusthan, 1998
Thank you and best regards
Digambara Patra
—
Digambara Patra, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
Email: digpatra@yahoo.com
Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura-2010 ends on high note
Following is a report from The Pioneer:
Addressing the concluding day of Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura-2010, chief guest MP Bhakta Charan Das said that there is urgent need to revive art and culture which is gradually disappearing. He also urged to establish a tribal tourism centre in the district and reiterated to save the glorious tradition of Indian music, dance and drama through united efforts.
Not only local artistes but also artistes from other districts of the State as well as from Chhattisgarh and Assam performed cultural programmes amid thousands of spectators during the four-day festival. Former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang also performed instrumental music on tribal instruments such as Changu and Kansari on the stage.
Many dignitaries were felicitated with Kalahandi Baraputra Award on the occasion. Bharat Bhusan Deo, Prabhash Chandra Mishra, Ratnakar Bhoi, Jayanta Behera, Gajanana Naik and Satya Narayan Rajput received the prestigious award in various fields from the guest of honour. A souvenir named ‘Kalajharan’ was also released on the occasion. School and college toppers also received Gyanashree Award instituted by Vendanta Aluminium Limited (VAL).
A seminar on the topic, ‘Together we can develop Kalahandi’ was also organised on Sunday morning at Bhawanipatna Town Hall.
Amenities available in the city like Bhubaneswar should reach Kalahandi:APJ Abdul Kalam
Following is a report from The Pioneer:
In the wake of the visit of APJ Abdul Kalam on Saturday, thousands of people including schoolchildren and their teachers gathered at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium here to have a glimpse of the former President
Kalam reached the Police Ground here by a helicopter at around 3.50 pm. First of all he inaugurated the Primary teachers’ Bhawan and then inaugurated the 3rd Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura 2010.
Addressing a huge gathering, he said, “I am happy to here on the Kalahandi festival day. I am delighted to participate in the inaugural ceremony on 3rd day of Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura 2010. I am indeed delighted to inaugurate the Primary Teachers Bhawan.”
“I would like to greet the District Collector RS Gopalan, Minister of Labour and Employment Pushpendu Singhdeo, SP Sudha Singh, former MLA Pradipta Naik, organisers of the utsav and all the schoolchildren, teachers and parents who have come here,” said the former President.
Kalam also interacted with the students and answered briefly to their questions. He said I am going to give you (students) an equation. Knowledge is equal to creativity plus righteousness in the heart and spread courage.
Kalam advised the organisers to launch a new project every year during Kalahandi Utsav, which will boost economic development, improve employment potential in the district. He also said the amenities available in the city like Bhubaneswar should also reach Kalahandi.
Provide urban amenities in rural and tribal areas like Kalahandi:APJ Abdul Kalam
Bhawanipatna (Orissa), Jan 16 (PTI) Seeking quick steps to provide urban amenities in rural and tribal areas, former President APJ Abdul Kalam today asked officials to launch new projects every year to boost economic development and raise job opportunities.
“It is important to make available amenities of urban centres in rural and tribal pockets of the country,” Kalam said after lighting a lamp at cultural festival – ‘Kalahandi Utsav – Ghumura’ at Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium here.
The distinguished scientist said those running the administration should set targets for launching new projects every year during such occasions like festivals which would boost economic development, improve employment potential and augment education and health services.
Kalahandi Utsav Ghumra-2010 kick-starts
Following is a report from The Pioneer:
The Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura-2010 started here on Thursday with traditional rituals. The Rendo Majhi Manch echoed with the vibration of dhol, nisan, Ghumura loka badya.
Hundreds of artists from the State as well as from outside the State have reached the town to perform in the four day programme. Before inauguration all the rituals were performed near Kalahandi’s Ista Devi Maa Manikeswari.
A cultural procession with Maa Manikeswari’s Mashaal Jyoti was taken out around the town in the morning headed by ADM Chudamani Seth. A district- level volleyball competition also kick started at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium.
The Utsav was inaugurated by Labour and Employment Minister Pushperndu Singh Deo while ADM Chudamani Seth delivered a welcome speech. The president of District Council of Culture and district Collecto RS Gopalan, Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh, municipal chairman of Bhawanipatna Lalita Naik, Junagarh NAC chairman Mahesh Chandra Sahu and former Chief Engineer Govinda Chandra Sahu were present in the inaugural function.
Secretary of DCC Kalicharan Mohanty gave a vote of thanks on the first day of the function.
The artistes performed Ghumura Dance, Sishu Ghumura Nrutya, Singhakhela, Jodisankha, Ghadel Nrutya, Banabadi, Bod Dance and other lok nrutya on the stage.
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum 