The cultural heritage of the Ganjam district is envisaged from the folk dances of the native inhabitants here. The socio-economic and the cultural life of the native in Ganjam are revealed through the folk dances. The dramas and the songs associated the folk dances depict the cross currents of the daily life. Moreover the folk dances, which are the representation of the cultural life of Ganjam, are even famous across the country.
Prahlad natak is a form of traditional theater with a one-play repertoire from the southern district of Orissa, is commonest in Ganjam. The dance is performed on an open stage at the summit of which the throne of Hiranyakashipu is placed. The text of Prahalad Natak, containing 120 lines is a mixture of Sanskrit and colloquial Oriya. The cultural dance itself is the representation of the social life of Ganjam.
Gotipua Nacha is another facet of the cultural dance of Ganjam, which has attained immense popularity in the recent times. Love in different forms is the key theme of this dance and acting. The participants are two to three boys dressed as female and dance to the tune the beautiful love and cryptic songs of Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja.
Ghanta Mrudanga is the representation of the cultural life and beliefs of the Vaisnavas in Ganjam. Ghanta, Mrudanga combined together present the folk music of the Vaishnava sect, where the main deities of adulation are Radha, Krishna, Lord Jagannath etc. During the stage performance of the folk music the performers attired themselves like those deities regarding whom the entire drama and music is performed. They dominate musical scene at Puri during Rathajatra.
The cultural life and habits of Ganjam is also evident from Bharatlila, the most colorful presentation of Folk- Dance prevalent in Ganjam. The leading story of Subhadra Parinaya is the crux of the entire performance of the dance and the associated drama.
The key theme which dominate the folk dances of Ganjam is the presiding deities of the inhabitants, which represent that religiosity is an important trait of the cultural life of Ganjam.
Apart from the folk dances, concentrated on the religious theme, there are also some other dances, which depict the essential social life of the inhabitants of Ganjam.
Kotishala is the most rural from of Folk-dance. Its main instruments Kula (winoing item) and Handi (earthern Pot), accentuate its rural and rustic form of performance. Danda Nritya replicates the development in the art of living since the nomadic till date. The Animal Mask Dance is an important facet of the cultural life of Ganjam. The dance popular enough is mainly performed during the marriage ceremony.
The cultural life of Ganjam is evident from the folk dances and the associated stage performance and songs describing the social life of Ganjam.
