A famous dance form of the Khurda district of Orissa is the Paika Naach or Paika Nritya. It is a powerful dance performance that requires lots of energy and vigor. It has been prevalent in Orissa since ancient times and is now an essential part of popular festivals observed in this eastern Indian state. The Munda tribe of the Mayurbhanj area in Jharkhand is famous for the Paika dance. It is a unique folk dance form that is a representation of the martial arts. This beautiful dance is an important part of weddings, Dussehra, and many other festivals.
The Munda Tribe
Munda tribe moved from Northwest India to the Chota Nagpur region and settled in the plateau after clearing out the forests. They take pride in their contribution towards India’s freedom fight against the British. They combated colonization and held on to their cultures.
The Munda community is also known for its expertise in martial arts. It is still an integral part of their culture, and the Paika dance is a depiction of the same.
History of Paika Dance
The word Paika comes from the word Padatika, which stands for foot soldiers in Sanskrit. In ancient times, the Paikas or the soldiers of a kingdom performed the dance to boost inner courage. The Paikas were not part of the regular army. They were employed by the kings to conquer new territories. The Paikas, unlike other soldiers, were rewarded with large farmlands as their primary occupation was agriculture.
Purpose of Paika Dance
Paika were the soldiers who protected the kingdom with their lives. They were martial artists. It came to be known as the Paika dance on their name.
Paika Dance performance is done for the amusement of the crowd during several festivals across the state. The dancers tell the story of how the Munda people used martial arts in their fight against the British. It is an effective way to educate the new generations about the great deeds of their ancestors.
Paika Dance Performance
The Paika dance is performed in groups in a ground called the Paika Akhada. Khurda district is home to over 20 such Akhadas where the Paika Nritya is done every year during the Dussehra festival. Every year the akhada is prepared for the dance by depositing some soft soil on it. Paika Nritya is performed by men only. The dance is a portrayal of the battlefield. The dancers form two groups on the stage. A mock fight is performed where one group attack and the other defends. Martial art moves form an important part of the Paika Nritya. Artists also perform acrobat and gymnastics on the akhada as part of the Paika Nritya.
The dancers use swords, shields, sticks or Lathi, and wheel or Chakra as a prop for the performance. The dance begins with slow moves where the two groups move closer to each other. Suddenly the pace picks up and the steps become faster and vigorous. The entire act is synced with the rhythmic beats of a drum. There is great enthusiasm among the groups that make the show a great source of amusement for the audience.
Music
The music is created with various sorts of drums like dhak, and nagada. Some traditional Indian musical instruments such as Shehnai, Bheir, and Narsingha are also used.
Costume Used in Paika Dance
Paika dancers dress up as warriors for the performance. Colorful dhotis and a dress on the top, paired with an attractive-looking turban is the usual costume of Paika dancers. They also wear silver jewelry around the neck, wrists, and ankles. Some dancers even wear elaborately decorated masks to enhance the action. Since the Nritya is done during festivals, the costumes are made with shiny material of catchy colors to attract the crowd. They use metallic plates on the chest and a mask over the face for protection. Anklets with bells are also worn. The hands are adorned with metallic bands. The whole look is very charming and keeps the audience interested throughout.
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