(Top) Artistes of Mayurbhanj Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan perform Chhau and (above) martial dance by Angul’s Paika Group. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12: Resonating trumpets and thumping beats of kettle drums created a perfect ambience for the Oriya warrior communities to present their martial skills on the concluding day of the Kalinga Mahotsav Martial Dance Festival. The festival was organised by Orissa Tourism.

The Dhauli peace pagoda provided a contrasting yet aesthetic backdrop to the event that showcased martial dances from other states on Monday and folk martial arts of Orissa on Tuesday.

While it was the Stem Dance Company from Bangalore and a troupe from Manipur that impressed the audience on the first day, there were a number of fine performances on the final day.

The Chhau dance items presented by the Mayurbhanj Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan were rhythmic as well as charming for their postures, traditional weapons like swords and shields and ethnic costumes. The meticulousness of the artistes in maintaining synchronisation was impressive, too.

The martial dancers first showcased their precision with the sword and then moved on to the presentation of the episode of Chakravyuha from Mahabharata where young Abhimanyu was killed by seven Kaurava warriors.

The Mayurbhanj Chhau was followed by rendition of martial dance by the ancient Paika warrior community of the state by artistes from Angul. The troupe led by Somnath Singh included teenaged warriors as well as a 90-year-old artiste, Dusasan Bisoi.

The team showcased stunts where heavy Mankadia stones were crushed with a hammer on the chest of the warriors. They also lifted giant wooden cart wheels and displayed swift movements of the sword and shield.

The highlight of the evening was, however, the performance by the team of female warriors from Rani Sukadei Akhada, Talcher.

Trained by Saubhagini Devi, the girls, dressed in traditional female warrior costumes, performed acrobatic movements and presented skillful application of swords and spears.

Their martial dance had elements of aggression as well as defence. All the performances touched the hearts of the audience.

“The performances were simply astounding. These troupes have done a wonderful job by continuing the traditional martial arts of the state without much patronage. It’s time we gave them the attention they deserve,” said Basudev Mohanty, a viewer.

“I loved the performance of the young girls. Their choreographer has done a commendable job,” said a young student, Debashree Saha.