|
Bandi Nata centers on the sacrifice done by Bandi for the sake of the love Krishna and Radha. A simple drum called dhol provides the music. Although a stage is setup, the actors often mingle with the audience while performing the play. The literal meaning of this play is 'widow dance'. This is an adjunct of Danda Nata prevalent among lower caste Hindus and tribal in Dhenkanal district and some parts of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Balangir in northwestern Orissa. It takes its name from Bandi, which locally means 'widow', since the central character is Kutila, the widowed sister of Chandrasena, husband of Radha. Kutila plays a villainous role in the immortal love story of Radha and Krishna, but her unflinching devotion to and sacrifice for Krishna are given importance. Although Bandi Nata is Vaishnava to the core, the invocation is dedicated to Siva and his consort Parvati, who also appear as figures at the beginning.
There are three main characters. The names can be mentioned as Kutila, Radha, and Krishna. Each sings a stanza, cast in the form of dialogue, and then dances to the accompaniment of a huge dhol and the wind instrument, mahuri. The refrains are repeated by a band of chorus singers, who occupy one side of the temporary covered structure. The drummer, dhol hung round his neck, controls the whole performance. Often the drummer shouts the beats and dances with the actors. The dramatic form is largely influenced by Danda Nata. Bandi Nata is not a written text. Still in the oral tradition, it passes from one group to another. Action and humour are freely mixed with the dances and songs to keep spectators entertained. The technique is essentially folk, both in dance and music, though traditional tunes have been inserted of late.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Drama & Theatre
|
|
|
| • | Kuvempu
Kuvempu is a literary acronym of Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa - a popular Kannada actor-playwright.
| | | • | Types of Abhinaya
Types of abhinaya have been set down in Natyshastra. The four types of abhinaya are Angika abhinaya, Vanchika abhinaya, Aharya abhinaya and sattvika abhinaya.
| | | • | Nataka
In Sanskrit, the play is known as Nataka par excellence, which comprises all the elements of a dramatic composition. It is an ancient Indian theatrical tradition that is closely based on themes of mythology and Indian epics. This Sanskrit drama has played a major role in sharing the Indian literature and culture for centuries.
| | | • | Tamasha Folk Dance
Tamasha is a folk art, which includes the love songs, which are traditional lavanis and dance along with the music.
| | | • | Ankiya Nat
Ankhiya Nat is a religious theatre form created by Sankaradeva in order to spread the message of Vaishnavism
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
