International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanities
ISSN 2277 – 9809 (online) ISSN 2348 - 9359 (Print)
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Shri Param Hans Education & Research Foundation Trust
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IRJMSH Vol 11 Issue 5 [Year 2020] ISSN 2277 – 9809 (0nline) 2348–9359 (Print)
DALKHAI : A UNIQUE FOLK TRADITION OF WESTERN ODISHA
RAJENDRA BHUE ABSTRACT- Western Odisha a greenish area of Odisha state covers eleven district of Odisha .This area has rich folk tradition and cultural heritage .This location is unique and something special and different from other part of Odisha . Its tribal culture gives this location a new identity. This area is well known for its folklore . Folklore includes folksong, folktale, folk music, folk arts and craft ,myths, riddle, proverb, folk dance ,folk festival etc .The folk culture is the store house of traditional knowledge so it is still preserved in rural life of western Odisha . Dalkhai is a popular folksong , dance and festival of this area . Some folklorists say Dalkhai festival is observed in the month of October in western Odisha . Dalkhai songs and dance is so simple and spontaneous that anybody can sing and dance .It transmits generation to generation orally . This dance is performed both in single and group ,both male and female can take part in this song and dance but in maximum cases women are more involved more than men .Group dances especially women group(male may be included) are more common . Men join in this performance as music players. The Dalkhai song reflects many social problems , rituals, life style , gender issue, moral education ,description of nature , praying to god and goddess etc. We can find non-formal education from folksongs and dances of western Odisha . From Dalkhai song we can acquire life skills. In this paper i want to analyse the Dalkhai song and dance and how it gives impact to life and living of western Odisha as well as what is the impact of modernity on Dalkhai. KEY WORDS- Folklore, Dalkhai song and dance ,Tribal culture ,Non-formal education.
INTRODUCTION-Dalkhai gives a special identity to western Odisha. The 'Dalkhai' is an eye- catching folk song and dance Performed by the women dancers in Western part of Odisha. The dance is most common during the religious processions and social functions . Western Odisha’s Society is facing a lot of cultural crisis; that is reflected by the traditional community organizations being suppressed under severe moral, social and economic Pressure. The folk dances of Western Odisha have played an important role in recreating national integrity, crystallizing social solidarity, fortifying communal harmony, intensifying value-system and promoting the elements of humanism among the people of the area. It is the real platform of getting indigenious knowledge .Western Odishan folk songs and Dances depict life in its variegated colour with joys and sorrow, Ups and downs in melodious tunes and fascinating ways. Diverse culture of Western Odisha has the treasure of a variety of folk songs and dances . These Western Odishan folk songs and dances are practiced in the rural areas and performed during the religious, seasonal festivals or social functions. Western Odishan folk dance is always accompanied with folk song and folk musical instructions like ‘Dhol’, ‘Muhuri’ , ‘Tasa’, ‘Nisan’etc.. Folk dances of Western Odisha are performed by rural people to enjoy their life .The
International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanity ( IRJMSH ) Page 203 www.irjmsh.com IRJMSH Vol 11 Issue 5 [Year 2020] ISSN 2277 – 9809 (0nline) 2348–9359 (Print) folk dance of Western Odisha is intimately connected with the growth of cultural and social life of the people. Numerous folk dances are found in Western Odisha viz. Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, Maelajada,Chutkucuta, Nachnia Bajnia etc We don’t know who and when invented these dances. These were the ancient sources of popular entertainment in the rural areas when there was no any entertainment sources . The people of this location are closely associated with fairs, festivals , religious and social ceremonies. .Dalkhai gives a new identity to the people of this area. People from child to old can sing and dance Dalkhai. All are Dalkhai artist in this area . Music and dance is integral to the lives of the people of this area. Folk dance and song especially Dalkhai song and dance are deeply connected to the community. It is very often said by the people of this location that, “Dalkhai is Dalkhai” means it is an independent, unique and exclusively a heart winning dance. It is also a religious based traditional folk dance linked to agriculture and fertility part of the society. Dalkhai is said to become “the Goddess of Fertility” and “the Goddess of Ayudatri (giver of long life) performed by the tribes like Mirdhas, Kondhs, Gonds, khadia, Binjhals etc as well as other castes like kultas, malis, goudas, telsi. Dumbals, . It is a common believe that, if Goddess Dalkhai satisfied than, there will be greenness in the world and simultaneously there will be good crop and people will live happily ..
LITERATURE REVIEW- The flow of folklore flourished since the dawn of civilization. It waited centuries together till appearance of the folklorists to get treatment as a special branch of learning. Folklore has a rich heritage in India and it is the cultural mirror of India. For the incoming of English and their influence in the collection of folklore materials, the native scholars got inspirations to work on this subject. Every state of India have folklore . Odisha is a colourful state famous for its folk culture and tradition and the western part of Odisha is called western Odisha . Though this area is full of folklore but there is not satisfactory work has done in the subject
In Odisha the John Beams collected folk materials and encouraged native people to work on folklore . Fakir Mohan Senapati got inspiration and put folk elements in his creation . .Haldhar Nag a famous poet of western Odisha put folk elements in his creations . Dr. Dwarika Nayak has done work on folklore of western Odisha .Falk culture and material we can find in “VUKHA” film and “ ADIMVICHAR”. Some scholars give important to folklore of western Odisha .Jayanta Kumar Behera has focussed on the folk dances and songs of western Odisha in his work ‘ Tribal and Traditional Folk dances of Odisha’ ,Dr. Sudhansu Sekhar Patnaik foucses on folk dance and song of western Odisha in his research work. Dr. Mohapatra , J.P.Singh Deo , Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bag have analysed the folklore of western Odisha . Particularly on the subject of Dalkhai no satisfactory work has done .
OBJECTIVE- The main objective of my study are- →To bring out the women’s social status of western Odisha. →To analyse the non-formal education system of western Odisha.
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→To investigate how Dalkhai gives impact to common life and life style of western Odisha . →To know the Dalkhai culture and tradition of western Odisha. METHODOLOGY- The present study is based on analytical method. It concentrates on the Dalkhai culture and tradition of western Odisha .Dalkhai song it is not only a tone of song ,it is carries the life history of western Odisha . Dalkhai mandap is the place where people can learn socialization , adjustment , value of unity , brotherhood , kindness , forgiveness , skill of living ,cooking , agriculture etc .I have visited many villages of western Odisha and collected data about Dalkhai from different people .also i have collected information from written text , internet and library work DALKHAI SONG AND DANCE –Dalkhai is the most popular form of the folk songs and dance of Western Odisha .This is performed mainly on a religious occasion called “Dalkhai Osha”(Vaijuitia), (Mahastami / Durgastami) which is observed by young girls and married women ,divorcy as well as the AJURI (The women separated from their husband due to some family disturbances but not taking divorce , chances to return back to their husbands’)on the eighth of the bright moon day in the month of Aswina (October). Dalkhai Devi is the presiding deity of this occasion. The song is addressed to her. This song is followed by a group dance with folk music in which only young women ( both married and unmarried) folk of non- Aryan lineage take part .It is mostly danced by young women of Binjhal, Kuda, Saura, Gond Khadia, Satnami, Sabar, Mirdha and some other non-tribal caste’s women like Dumal, Kulta, Mali, Teli., Gouda etc. A total fasting is observed for the entire day and night to seek blessings of Goddess “Durga” in some placeses Goddess” Maheswari” by young girls. Married women come to their mothers’ to celebrate this festival. It is the festival of women empowerment we may say .They pray to Goddess for all good and long life of their brothers. Dalkhai is a folk divinity. Devi Dalkhai dwells in ‘Sulha Kuthi’,(sixteen square). on the wall of the village head man.
During these dance men join them as drummers and music players. The dance is accompanied by an orchestra of folk music played by Dhol, Nisan, Tamki, Tasa and Muhuri. The Dhol player controls the beats. Dalkhai is a ritualistic folk dance as well as folk song. Dance and song are principal interest of Dalkhai. The singers start the song uttering ‘Dalkhai-re, Dalkhai-re and finished the lines again with Dalkhai-re’ in another pronouncement. The songs bear description of nature, truth, seasons, God and Goddess, satire, gender issues , life style , marriages, sex and sexuality as well as everyday life . The singers depend on their memory and when they feel something odd they apply their presence of mind while singing the songs. There are no written scripts of the songs, spontaneity is maintained wonderfully. Women also comment through their songs to the male audiences to impress them in the local language that is called ‘ Padjurba’. This padjura gives much more entertainment to the audiences, and the male to whom the dancer comments through the song gives money as a reward that activity is called ‘banden paesa’. For this dance and song there is no need of skilled or professional singer and dancer. The women participate in the dance
International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanity ( IRJMSH ) Page 205 www.irjmsh.com IRJMSH Vol 11 Issue 5 [Year 2020] ISSN 2277 – 9809 (0nline) 2348–9359 (Print) spontaneously. They dance according to the beats of the Dhol. Dhulia (Dhol beater or player) has an important role in this dance . He makes dances according to his Dhol rhythm. The main rasa inspiring this variety is “Sringara”. Dalkhai song and dance are also performed in the month of Chaitra (march) full moon day , and in the day and day following ‘Nuakhai’festival .Dalkhai song and dance deeply impact to social life . in the Dalkhai stage many marriages were fixed up ,many marriage disturbances were solved only for the song in ancient time when there was no court or people did not know the value of court due to lack of education. The woman who realized the value of family expressed her feeling through Dalkhai song and her husband who was there could understand that and took his wife hand . Separated husband and wife were waiting for this occasion. For them it was a way of mixing remaking their family. . It was a social approved and faith that if a male took the hand of a female in Dalkhai stage both were bound to be husband and wife according to the social law. WORSHIP STYLE OF DALKHAI FESTIVAL- The Dalkhai songs are the clear description of the Mother Earth, Maa Durga, Maa Maheswari . At first the Dalkhai singer pray to Dalkhai Devi for her blessings. The Dholia beats the “Varnipar”at first. Dhol, Nishan, Tasha, Mahuri and Timkidi are the five musical instruments which are called ‘pancha badya’ used to perform this folk dance. It is a group dance .After worshiping to the goddess, Dalkhai devi comes to the body of a man ( majhihardom or Beji) and that man dances and blesses to people . People sacrifice animals to make satisfy the Goddess . The venue, where they worship , sing and dance that is called ‘Dalkhai Gudi’ or “Daltol”. The worshiping continue sixteen days in the month of dussehra (between September-October). After worshiping every day, the women perform song and dance at the afternoon .Dalkhai dance and song are performed in the afternoon of “Nuakhai” festival, Which is the famous festival of this area and day following “Nuakhai”. In some area of Western Odisha it is also performed in “Chaitra Purnima” (full moon day of march) . MODERNITY IN DALKHAI Dalkhai is not only a religious dance in this dance and song we can find the love ,emotion of the performers .The hidden pain and feeling are come out through the song . The love stories of Radha Krishna, the bond of man to God are presented in this dance.
The folk dance Dalkhai is getting modernized day to day. Its popularity is also increasing simultaneously. A numbers of cultural teams are performing this dance across the country. In national and international level Dalkhai dance has special demand. Due to the spread of education , science and technology modern musical instruments enter into the dance ,the performers use modern colourful costumes which attract the modern audiences . Now a day modernity enters into every form of Dalkhai .It crosses the caste , class, region and religion. Many skilled and professionals arts take initiative steps for it .The demand of this dance and song is increasing .Now it is not limited in the indirect expression of women in the patriarchal society . It crosses the boundary of theme also. Professional artist perform this in all occasion .There is no place of unskilled singer and dancer ,they remain in bathroom singer. Only worshiping is done now a days in Dalkhai festival ,women do not perform their dance . The
International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanity ( IRJMSH ) Page 206 www.irjmsh.com IRJMSH Vol 11 Issue 5 [Year 2020] ISSN 2277 – 9809 (0nline) 2348–9359 (Print) dancers and singers are giving more important to the audience choice rather than the originality of the dance . The looks of Dalkhai have chanced .There is no simplicity and openness in the dance now it changes according to the demand of modern audiences .The ‘Kuthi’Dalkhai, ‘Dahi’ Dalkhai, ‘Bat ‘Dalkhai have no more but the ‘Mudo’ Dalkhai till survives in a new looks that is in modern stages .On the name of improvision Dalkhai losses its originality .
CLASSIFICATION- There are four types of dalkhai viz- 1- Mudo dalkha that is sung and danced under a mandap . 2-Kuthi dalkhai -it is sung and danced in kuthisala ,near presiding goddess . 3-Dahi dalkhai –it is sung and danced under a tree in a lonely place . 4-Bat dalkhai –it is sung and danced on road to collect money from passer by .
COSTUME - In this song and dance women wear traditional ornaments like tad , bahasuta, katria, bandria, khadu, peri ,payal, khagla, patrimali ,ganthia ,fasia , parkathi ,suna, guna, panpatri, maliful. ,jhalka,khagla, paesamali, etc and the men wear chap ,bird’s feather ,suna etc .Women wear ‘Duimuhi’ kapta (sarees having anchal in both sides is called kapta),and keep ‘lal gamchha (Towel)’on their neck ‘Painree’ for feets, Katria and Bandaria on the Hands, chaunrimudi, panpatri ,maliful and parkathi are on the Dhaliakhusa (Hair nut), Panla mali, paesamali, khagla, for neck, Gunchi on the waist ,bahasuta and tad are on the right arm ,women do not use blouse .towel is ever thing for them. The dholia and male dancer use sambalpuri kapta as their dhoti, towel, on head pag and bird’s feathers , on food they wear chap.
INSTRUMENTS-In Dalkhai dance there need of pancha badya (five musical instruments) dhol, nisan , tasa, muhuri, timikidi . Now a day some modern musical instruments are used to attract the audiences. CONCLUSION- The Dalkhai carries the picture of culture and society of Western Odisha .It deals with the life and life style of common people. In Ancient time it was the only way of women through which they could express their feelings, pain ,problems ,emotions etc in the patriarchal society. Dalkhai mandap was the traditional educational centre of villages .people get non-formal education from here. The originality of Dalkhai should be preserved and promoted. If government will take any steps for the real improvement of Dalkhai songs and dances it will be better for future generation .
GLOSSARY-
Bat-Road Beji- who acts like goddess , people have faith that goddess comes to his body Dahi-Branch Dhulia-The drum beater Gudi-Temple
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Kuthi-temple Mandap- stage Mudo- Stage Varnipar- a musical tone to please the Goddess. Sula varani is the favourite music of Devi Maa Samaleswari and Durga.
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