Feb 13, 2009 12:55 PM
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During my stay in Bhubaneswar, Orissa I have decided to jot down about the people and cultural heritage of this Temple City. Every month we have a new festival which is celebrated with charm and delight. In the month of January-February a gret cultural heritage is relived around the premises of centuries old Khandagiri Caves. Hence named Kahandagiri Jatra.
In this REVIEW, I wish to focus attention on popular performing arts of Orissa, namely Jatra.
Widely known as "Gananatya", "Lokanatya" or "Opera", the Jatra in Orissa shares a great deal of historical, literary and ethnographic features with its counterpart in West Bengal and Bihar. The popularity of Jatra today is confined to the live performance. It should also reach the television viewers. I think, it is very popular and entertainment based. Jatra is less vulgar on television than many other live performances. Don't you think it is a disrespect to our own culture
HISTORY AND EVOLUTION
It is difficult to determine the original meaning of the term "Jatra" although several explanations are possible and have been attempted. For instance, Jatra is generally used etymologically in the sense of a "journey", a "procession" or a "departure". It is also associated with travel and return of various religious deities. And thus, in Orissa we have Ratha Jatra, Dola Jatra, Jhulana Jatra etc. It also indicates cultural entertainment centering around a religious ritual in a temple; in this sense, comprising dance, music, and abhinaya. (das;1993:4). At the same time, in Bengal it is associated with Krishna Jatra, which emerged in 15th century. The word Jatra originated in Bengal, which has been documented extensively. (Vatsayana: 1981, Gargi: 1991, Dasgupta; 1988, Sylvain: 1978, Banerjee: 1989)
It has been argued that Jatra in Orissa is a unique combination of the Sanskrit theatre and folk art forms. Of the latter, there have been plenty in Orissa such as Danda Nata, Goti Pua Dance (later turned into Odissi), RamaLila, Patua Jatra, Pala, Suanga etc. Gradually, Jatra came to mean basically three forms such as Suanga, Geetinatya and Geetavinaya. Of the three forms, it is Suanga that is supposed to be the precursor to the Jatra form. Basically, Suanga suggests a humorous dramatic performance enacted in open air. As a common colloquial Oriya word, "Suanga" generally means joking. It also denotes many other things such as "assuming the dress of any character in a play, dance, popular farce, wit sport, or pantomime".
According to Dhiren Dash, a noted historian of the stage in Orissa, early theatrical performances in what comprises the present day Orissa could be traced back to the Ranigumphas or at the caves of Khandagiri, carved out during the reign of the Jaina King Kharabela in second century B.C. The history of Jatra , according to Dhiren Dash can be divided into three parts. There is unfortunately no clear picture prior to 1870. Compositions are extremely rare pertaining to this period. The cultural entertainment through Lila was the only form of Jatra. The first historical Jatra is "Gouri Haran"(abduction of Parvati) in around 1736 to 1793 during the reign of 1st Birakishore Dev. This play was first staged within the premises of Jagannath temple at Puri. It is believed that the first troupe in Orissa was formed in Puri in 1832, produced and directed by the first playwright Shankar Mishra.
The second phase starts from 1871 to 1882, where Jatra received a strong stricture on account of alleged vulgarity and obscenity by introducing love and erotic legends. In 1878 there were three parties in the Balasore district, organised at Manikhamb, Makalpur and Barabati Sahi. By 1876, there were five parties patronized by the Zamindar Ray Bahadur Radha Charan Das. "Sita Haran" and "Duryodhan Uru Bhanga" were the most popular productions. Jagu Ojha of Raghunathpur of Cuttack excelled by acting, singing and directing song-dramas including Suanga, a farce which depicts an amorous relationship between a male doctor and female patient. Laced with wit, humor, and veiled vulgarity, this became an enormously popular treat for the village audience.
The above discussed patrons and eminent Jatra associates basically related it to the earlier tradition which have been lost. The significant changes in Jatra (earlier Suanga and Lila) occurred in Bengal due to the influence of European theatre in early 19th century by British actors, By 1872, the Bengali middle class undertook the performance of a play in a proscenium theatre (play performed in a particular place and on a raised rectangular platform enclosed on three sides). Consequently, the Jatra underwent major changes in the mid 19th century.
In the last quarter of 19th century, with the Renaissance of Bengal, Jatra parties became increasingly popular in the region. New songs replaced the old Vaishnava https://lyrics. Due to its newness in the theatre, Jatra could become popular among all.
Jatra in 21st century as witnessed by me in 2009 is a treat to watch. It starts about midnight with a huge Mandap type Theatre with a 300 sq yards rectangular three side open stage. You find hanging Microphones, moveable platform and well illuminated stage with laser lights show and Opera kind atmosphere and Medicated smoke to ward of Mosquitoes and evil spirits. The show starts with Prayer songs and Melodious Music system keeps our adrenal pumping. Crowd capacity of 5500 watches this show at a time and we have seven such different Mandaps alive with similar fanfare. Yes, we have a competition among twelve teams performing there best Dramas to win Jatra Samrat of the year.
First hour some selected all time hit numbers are brought alive by the local male and female artists who out perform the original work done by our so called Mumbai Cine Stars. This one hour starter infuses such a nerve of Art and Culture on you that you will become a part of this unique event. Above all comes the Drama part which starts after Midnight and continues till 6AM in the morning. Watching three hours movie and watching five hours Jatra performed by local artists in Oriya Language transforms and enlighten you with the great culture and talent of Unsung Artists.
Getting ticket is a very tough task as every on wants to enjoy near to stage rows to have close peep of performing Artists. Average cost of ticket is Rs. 40 per head and usually blocks are sold as people in groups come from far off villages to have fun in this Annual Festival. There is a very good business for local snacks sellers and all types of merry go round and Giant Wheel are added attractions of this Festival. Handicrafts and small traders get the opportunity to sell their products to a wide range of customers.
Now I wish to close my Review here as I am burdened with millions of fine thoughts but feeling short of words to express myself. Shall be adding picture and videos of this festival in my next review.
