The Dandanata, A Performing Ritual In Rural Areas of Odisha State In India

Danda nata is the first vanishing performing art. The paper tries to highlight regarding ritual elements of the Danda nata, which are characterised by a high degree of the atrility. On the other hand many of the more theatrical elements can easily turn into or be regarded as ritualistic ones, such as the notion that rolling on the dust is also a fertility rite. More over some of the pranks especially those that make fun of Brahmin priests could be interpreted as bhakti oriented rites of revelation. Hence in their multivalent character and close inter connectedness, ritualistic and theatrical elements mutually define and reinforce each other, the ritual elements are as necessary for the understanding and enjoyment of the more entertaining elements.