Desia Nata

Desia Nata is the musical folk form prevalent in Koraput district of southern Orissa. Tribes generally perform it during their Chaitraparva celebrations in the month of Chaitra i.e. March-April. The script is written in local dialect by the Nata Guru, who combines in himself the qualities of playwright, director, and musician. Although he is a professional, the actors are amateurs. The actions and dancing are near-mime as the performers use masks locally prepared by traditional craftsmen. Female roles are played by men. The narratives and song-dialogues are sung either by the Nata Guru or a lead singer. The chorus is the main ingredient of supporting music, repeats them accompanied by a pair of cymbals and mridanga i.e. double-ended drum.

All the plays are based on mythological episodes, the most popular among them being Ganda badim i.e. `Killing of Ganda`, Subhadra haran i.e. `Subhadra`s Abduction, Taranisena badha i.e. `Killing of Taranisena`, etc. Some of the other names can be mentioned as Niladri haran i.e. `Niladri`s Abduction, Shashirekha haran i.e. `Shashirekha`s Abduction, Bhramarabara, Lid Kumara, Brindabati, and Kumbhasura badha i.e. `Killing of Kumbhasura`.

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