Ghantapatua
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| Ghantapatua (ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ) | |
|---|---|
| File:Ghantapatua.JPG | |
| Dates | Month of Pana Sankranti |
| Location(s) | Odisha, India |
Ghantapatuas (Also Patua) (Oriya: "ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ", a performer beating "Ghanta") are traditional male folk artistes from the Indian state of Odisha. They work as temple servants in the goddesses' temples [1] and perform in Jhama nata during Pana Sankranti, celebrated mainly in Odisha. On the day of Pana Sankranti, performers ("Patua") dressed in traditional Odishan dress walk holding. Males of castes "bauri", "dama", "kandara" and "pana" perform as Ghantapatua. In some of the places in Odisha, ghantapatuas pierce metal nails and tie rope with them to hooks and perform. They offer the dance to goddesses Sarala, Hingula, Charchika, Bhagabati, Mangala and Chandi as servants.[2] Ghantapatuas perform in a group of two or four [1] perform wearing dresses that resemble women's dresses.[3]
Etymology
The name "ghantapatua" comes from Oriya words "ghanta" (brass bell) used in Jagannath temple and the goddess temples of Odisha, and "patua" (performer).[1]
Costume
One from the group leads the group who wears a female dress and wraps a black cloth around head with the two ends left open both the sides of the head. He places a "ghata" (earthen pot) decorated with flowers, vermilion, sandalwood paste and dyed threads that are considered sacred, on his head.[3]
Instruments
Two major instruments used by the performers are "ghanta" and dhola.[1]
Performance
The lead performer performs as a yogi by placing and balancing the ghata followed by dances, and walking on a rope without holding any support in bare feet. Then he dances with bare-feet with the ropes without any support displaying rare skill. Dhol and Ghanta are the accompanying instruments and their players, while working out uncanny rhythms control the tempo of the dance. After the performance, ghantapatuas distribute the vermilion paste to the spectators. Spectators offer money, rice and cereals to the performers.[1] The performance continues for a whole month along with village fares and ornate rituals in front of the goddesses worshiped in villages.[3]
References
See also
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