07/10/2024
SAMBALPURI SOUL
In India, the season of festivals has always been a time to reunite and celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Honoring this spirit, as people prepare for Dussehra and Durga Puja, somewhere in the remote corners of Odisha, the vibrant rhythms of Sambalpuri folk dances like Dalkhai, Rasodkhali, Bajniya, and Nachiya echo through the villages, revering the strength of matriarchy and the harmony of rural life.
One man has been at the forefront of preserving and propagating this rich cultural heritage — Guru Gangadhar Das. Since his teenage years, he has been passionately practicing this traditional dance form. But for Gangadhar, it was never just about dancing. His purpose extended beyond the performance; he sought to instill the tribal rituals of Odisha among the masses, ensuring that the art form not only survived but thrived in the modern world.
Gangadhar trained under eminent Gurus like Ranjit Nagar and Balabhadra Sivas in both dance and music, but his journey evolved with a renewed soul: to keep alive the stories, rituals, and relations of his people through the art of Sambalpuri dance. His compositions are infused with Oriya folklore, capturing the essence of rural life and its deep connection to nature and the divine.
When he first began, Sambalpuri dance was a male-dominated tradition, with no space for female performers. But Gangadhar has transformed this practice. His team today consists of both male and female dancers, embracing gender equality while staying true to the roots of the tradition. This vibrant, instrument-based dance form has now become a symbol of cultural pride, uniting people across generations.
Guru Gangadhar Das remains devoted to his roots, not just as a dancer, but as a cultural ambassador. His dedication to Sambalpuri folk dance has ensured that this archaic yet dynamic tradition continues to inspire, both in India and across the world.
Written & Clicked by Paroma Bhowmik