page_title: Sambalpuri culture
section_title: Dance
hierarchical_section_title: Sambalpuri culture / Dance
caption_attribution_description: ଓଡ଼ିଆ: Sambalpuri Dance
context_page_description: Sambalpur, in Orissa, India, is a region that has a distinct cultural identity. The songs, clothing, dances, language and festivals celebrated in Sambalpur are unique. This distinct cultural identity arises from the strong association of the tribal and folk communities which have been coexisting in Sambalpur for centuries.
  Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav
  The grand festival of "Lok Mahotsav" is a Folk and Tribal Arts and Culture Festival which aims at showcasing the socio-cultural aspects of the region of Sambalpur, and the strong association between the tribal and folk communities that coexist in the region. This festival is a reflection of the socio-anthropological evolution of the people of this area. Here "Lok" means people, and "Mahotsav" means festival.
  Sitalsasthi Carnival
  The Sitalasasthi Carnival is an annual festival which celebrates and commemorates the religious reunion of Shiva and Shakti, as Goddess Parvati. The carnival is organised in a grand way in Sambalpur.
context_section_description: Most of the community dances are connected with a function or the worship of a deity. Colourful folk dances are enjoyed by the people.
  Dalkhai Dance
  Dalkhai  is a ritual folk dance. Songs sung on this occasion are known as Dalkhai songs. Young girls of Binjhals, Soura and Mirdha tribes perform this dance during Dusserah, Bhaijuntia and other festive occasions. However, non-tribal people of the mainstream society also participate in these ritual dances and songs without hesitation which is an indicator of the tribal and non tribal interaction. The young girls stand in a line or in a semicircular pattern while dancing (Pasayat, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009).
  Karma Dance
  Karma is the most colourful dance of the district. It is mainly a tribal dance in honour of "Karam Sani", the deity who grants children, as they believe. Non-tribal people also participate in this ritual dance and songs. In the beginning the dancers enter the dancing arena in two rows. The dramers and the singers accompany with rhythmic steps.
  Humo and Bauli
  These are two playful dances performed generally by young and unmarried girls on special occasions who sing and dance in groups. The stepping and movements of the dance are very slow. However, the old and aged women of the villages also play the guiding role during performance of this songs (Pasayat, 2008).
  Koisabadi Dance
  This dance is prevalent among the Gond and the Bhuyan tribes. Male dancers take part, holding a two feet long stick. The songs are mainly based on the immortal love story of Radha and Krishna.
caption: Sambalpuri Dance
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