Folk Game & Folk Culture of Western Odisha

Traditional and Folk Culture: Popular styles of the folk music of western Odisha are Dalkhai, Jaiphula, Rasarkeli, Maelajada, Chutkuchuta, Nachania, bajania, Dhaap, Maleshree, Chhilollai, Humobauli, Gho gho rani, Duligeet, Sajani Geet, Bayamana, Karma, Jhumer, Nachnia, Halia Geet etc. Out of these, Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, Maelajada, Chutkuchuta, Jaiphula, Nachania, Bajania and Dhaap are the music meant for song and dance. Maleshree is used for devotional purpose. Chilollai is a style where girl children use to sing during playing a game called chhilolai). Humobauli or Humo geet is sung by young girls divided in to two groups. Gho Gho Rani is a style that is also used during a game where an individual p[articipant wants to break the hand shackle and her friends reciprocate with the song not to allow her. Duligeet Geet is the style sung by young girls during a ride in the swing. Sajani Geet is singing by a lady with her close friend in a silence or alone place to convey her emotion. The hard truths of social life are narrated in Bayamana geet. Madal is play in Jhumer song for in a mood of happy and narrating the beauty of nature. Jhumer is also played during Karma naach, meant for Goddess Karamsani. Nachnia style is recommended for the songs to dance during marriage occasions. This is played by both men and women. Halia Geet is song on the verge of extinction. It is the farmer’s song. The acoustic instruments used in folk music of western Odisha enjoy a special status. Moreover Ganda Baja music, a music orchestra of western Orissa’s folk music combines of Dhol, Lisan, Tasha, Jhanj and Muhuri instruments are the real stuff to create an indomitable presence of the sweet folk styles and force someone to dance on its beat. In this musical extravaganza, Dhol is the lead rhythm instrument, Nisan is the bass booster, Taasha is the treble booster, Jhanj is the percussion and Muhuri is the only and leading ‘sur’ or wind instrument. Interestingly, it is seen that though the instrumentalists do not have knowledge of the Music theory, what they play are based on the recommended grammar of folk music that passes from generation to generation without any flaw. Nisan made of Iron is normally carried around the waist of the dancer while dancing creating big bass sound. Dhol is made from the trunk of a tree and both sides of the instrument are of same radius. In most of the songs Dhol is the lead rhythm instrument. Tasha is played with two thin bamboo sticks. Jhanj is the percussion instrument which guide with tempo to the orchestra. The traditional costumes and ornaments worn by the dancers add aesthetic appeal to the dance is also an attraction of folk art form.