Home > Arts & Culture > Indian Monuments > Community Songs of Orissa
Community Songs of Orissa
Community Songs of Orissa are those songs which are typically sung by members of some working community. They are mostly sung in accompaniment to their work, either as part of the work or to drive away its monotony.

Share this Article:

Community songs of Orissa are those musical compositions which are sung by particular communities of the state. These are mostly different sections of the working class people of rural areas such as cultivators, snake charmers etc. Some of these community songs are described below.

Yogi Geeta /Chakulia Panda Geeta
Nath Yogis and Chakulia Pandas are mendicant castes of Orissa. They go from door to door in certain months begging alms. Nath Yogis are followers of Guru Gorakhnath. The male members of this community move out to different villages begging from door to door. They sing the ballad of Raja Govinda Chandra playing `Kendara`. Kendara is a folk string instrument like violin. Likewise Chakulia Pandas also go from door to door singing a kind of song. They don`t use any musical instrument

Chasa Geeta
Chasa means a ploughman or cultivator. The men of this community sing about the different agricultural activities such as ploughing, reaping, driving bullock-carts etc. They do not use any accompaniment. They sometimes make rhyming sounds while singing. They mostly sing to break the monotony of work.

Sapuakela Geeta
Sapuakela means a snake charmer. These snake charmers move from village to village and earn their livelihood with their snake play. While charming the snake they sing different varieties of songs known as Padma Tola, Phula Tola, Nirguna Geeta and Chaupadi. The Padma tola songs narrate the encounter of Lord Krishna with the serpent Kaliya. In Phula tola they pay their obeisance to Lord Vishnu and other deities. The first couplet of each song is a musical narration and the following line conforms to melodies. In the beginning of each couplet, they invoke musically `Oh Mahapravu` and they end by saying `Govinda Hari`. The Nirguna songs are about the philosophy of life. The songs composed in the form of questions and answers are always sung in two parts, the part on the answer having more melodic variations. The Chaupadis are basically love songs. Though these songs have no relation with snake charming, they are sung only for popular entertainment. These folk songs are sung in accompaniment to the rhythm of Shiva Dambaru and the Sarpa Nagara. Dambaru looks like a little Pakhavaj with tiny bells fitted on it. Sarpa Nagara or Mahuri is a kind of Mahuri with which the Sapua or snake charmer is believed to attract snakes and make them play.

Thus the foregoing discussion throws light on some of the community songs prevalent in the state of Orissa.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Monuments


Monuments of Punjab
Monuments of Punjab are the founding stones of the state. Punjab has numerous historical monuments and religious monuments scattered throughout its different cities.throughout its different cities.
Monuments of Lakshwadeep
Monuments of Lakshwadeep are famous for their ancient religious feel and historical value.
Monuments of Jharkhand
Monuments of Jharkhand are well maintained by the state government as these are popular tourist destinations. These monuments are remnants of the history of the region, narrating significant incidents from the past.
Monuments of Haryana
Monuments of Haryana represent the glorious culture and history dating back to thousands of years. These monuments are popular for their historical, religious, or political significance.
Monuments of West Bengal
Monuments of West Bengal, mainly from the British era, are considered as priceless heritage of the state and attracts many tourists to the state.
Monuments of Andaman And Nicobar Island
Monuments of Andaman and Nicobar Island loaded with their rich past unveils the history of India. Most of the monuments here are reminiscence of dark and brutal rule of the British Empire in India.
Monuments of Andhra Pradesh
Monuments of Andhra Pradesh represents several wonderful and glorious sagas of various ruling dynasties of the past. Most of these monuments are protected by the government for their architectural excellence and historical significance.
Monuments of Chhattisgarh
Monuments of Chhattisgarh have a significant role to play in the state`s tourism. The land has a rich cultural and political history that is reminiscent in the historical forts, palaces and temples of Chhattisgarh and are great tourist attractions.
Monuments of Telangana
Monuments of Telangana covers the ancient, medieval and modern historical structures illustrating the architectural grandeur and attracting thousands of tourists throughout the year.
Monuments of South India
Monuments of South India show strong Dravidian traditions and are located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Tombs in India
Tombs in India are famous all over the world for their architectural beauty and most of these tombs have been built in the medieval period. Travellers from all across the globe throng these historical sites.
Daulat Khana
Daulat Khana complex belongs to the early phase of Nawabi construction in Lucknow. It was commissioned to be built by Nawab Asaf ud Daulah. The Daulat Khana Complex consists of the Shish Mahal, the Shish Mahal Ka Talab and the Baradari Shish Mahal.
Mahesh Vilas Palace
Mahesh Vilas Palace is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh amidst 35 acres of Lush Green Lawns, Fountains and Orchards.
Architecture Of Andhra Pradesh
Architecture of Andhra Pradesh is an illustration of diverse types of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic architectural styles.
Architecture Of West Bengal
Architecture of West Bengal comprises Hindu temples, Muslim, Buddhist and Colonial monuments and the unique terracotta style.
Architecture of Lucknow
Architecture of Lucknow is mostly Islamic in nature. It is representative of 18th and 19th century Indian architecture. The architecture is broadly divided into religious architecture, such as that of Imambaras and secular architecture, such as that of Baradaris and Kothis.
Cheena Kottaram
Also known as the China Palace, the Cheena Kottaram used to be a rest house for the then King of Travancore.
History of British Architecture in India
History of British architecture in India had begun with a solemn promise, keeping no stones unturned. This line of architecture invaded in India from the early colonial times in the states like Delhi, Kolkata, Mushidabad and Pune.
Monuments of Assam
Monuments of Assam are timeless remnants of historical masterpieces which reflect the architecture of ancient Assam. these monuments are remnants of the glorious history of the region under different rulers.
Bharhut Stupa
Bharhut Stupa is situated between Jabalpur and Allahabad in the erstwhile Nagod state of Madhya Pradesh. In 1873, the place was discovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham.