By Madan Sualsingh
Daringbabadi, Dec.11, 2018: A tribal cultural group comprising women of Kandhamal district in Odisha, eastern India, has challenged society to change its attitude on gender stereotyping.
Jana Shakti (people’s power), the cultural team of Jana Vikas (people’s development), an NGO, raised the challenged on December 11 at the Kandhamal Mahotsav, (winter festival) organized by the Kandhamal district administration.
The annual festival is being held at hill town of Daringabadi from December 9 to 15.
The event also celebrates the culture of indigenous or Adivasi and Dalit (formerly untouchables) people of the district.
The Jana Shakti team performed “Changu Dance” (drum dance), a cultural dance of tribals and Dalits of Kandhamal.
Only men can take part in the dance, playing the drums with sticks according to the rhythm of song.
But this dance was performed by young women proving that women can also bit the drum and perform the same dance. This dance reveals the strength of the community to face any challenges and obstacles by the opponent, especially women.
“The cultural dance is really significant. Through this dance we wish to challenge and communicate that women deserve better gender equality in society. It is also a way that other people could have respect, knowledge and give importance to our indigenous tradition and norms,” said Luisa Parichha, 21. She is the leader of the group.
Speaking on the occasion, Bideshi Nayak, writer in Odiya literature highlighted in his speech the revival of indigenous culture at this age of modernization.
Patitapabana Routa, dramatist and poet emphasized the on the beauty and speciality of Kandhamal culture and invited all the people to encourage their younger generation to uphold the degrading culture.
Many artists from 12 different blocks of the district and institutions performed their traditional dances to enthrall locals.
Kandhamal is a land of art and culture. There are many folk dances in the region.