orissadiary.com, May 5, 2010
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] show 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 war 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 least 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
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