Created by Ira Leviton
Last edited October 30, 2020

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Ghantapatuas (Odia: "ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ") are traditional male folk dancers from the Indian state of Odisha. They work as temple servants or Template:Transl in the temple of the Goddess.[1] They belong to the Bhopa or Raula caste.

Etymology

The name Template:Transl comes from Oriya words Template:Transl (brass bell) used in Jagannath temple and the goddess temples of Odisha, and Template:Transl (performer).[1]

Ghata

The Template:Transl is an earthen pitcher filled with holy water kept on a wooden stand cemented by mud, vermilion and above it a flower-clad Template:Transl made up of coconut leaf sticks with flower hangings which represents the Goddess they worship.

Ghanta

The Template:Transl is the main accompanying instrument.

Dance

The dance is an offering to the goddesses Sarala, Hingula, Charchika, Bhagabati, Mangala and Chandi as servants.

The dance normally includes two to four men. One, the Template:Transl dresses as the Goddess and is the Template:Transl bearer and dancer. The others beat the Template:Transl and are called Template:Transl.

The Template:Transl keeps the Template:Transl on his head. He dances without touching it and with Template:Transl (wooden sticks) tied to each leg.

After the dance they distribute sacred bel leaves and vermilion to the public (bhaktas). People offer them money, rice, vegetables, coconut, Template:Transl and Template:Transl that they later distribute among themselves.[2][1][3]

Performance

The dance is offered in village after village throughout the month of Chaitra (March to April) in Hindu calendar. The final performance comes on Maha Vishuva Sankranti or Pana Sankranti, which falls normally on 13 or 14 April. It is celebrated as Odia New Year.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ghanta Patua. Discoveredindia.com.
  2. Purnachandra Ordiya Bhashakosha{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}
  3. Ghanta Patua:. Orissatourism.gov.in.

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