Mayurbhanj is a not so explored destination in the state of Odisha. Located in the northern part of Odisha, this majestic District is full of scenic beauty, art forms & different traditional practices of tribes.
One such traditional practice is " DASAI DANCE ". Mainly performed by the Ho & Munda tribe & the Santhal community ingroup.
During Durga puja, the people from the above-mentioned tribe & community travel from one town to another town, one village to another village for 9 days and perform this dance in front of the public. They perform this dance in front of every household and collect money & rice from people.
While speaking to the dancing group, I came to know that just one day before dushhera they stop their's performance. Runka Singh, one of the performers told me that there is no relation between druga puja and this dance.
But this dance is associated with tantric tradition. But still, we need solid proof of this.
They use some unique traditional instruments & traditional attire while dancing which also attracts people.
The main musical instrument is BUANG. Buang is a dry gourd tumba connected with a bow-like structure. With the left hand, they hold the bow and in the right hand, they pull the string(above pic ). The instruments produce a strange sound. If you listen to it carefully it sounds like BUANG BUANG. That is how the name BUANG comes to exist.
The elemental meaning of DASAI is DHA-SAY which means the end of Rain. So during druga puja monsoon almost returns. It's the post-monsoon season in various parts of India.
Not only dance but they also sing a song & believe me it's so unique. Though I asked them the meaning, they smile and did not reply. So the song is like:-
"SEY BEREY SEY BEREY"
BHUNG SEY SEY BHUNG"
DEHELE DEHELE, BOTHELO BOTHELO
DEVI RE DURGA, DEVI RE DURGA
Maybe in the coming years, we will see fewer such traditional activities whether it's an art form or any traditional activities. Some are dying, and some are on the borderline to get vanish or some are only limited to rural pockets. If we will not preserve such regional things then our upcoming generation will never get to know about them.
Photo credit & copyright-
AKASH MOHANTY
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