Naga Dance
The Performing Arts of Orissa are some among the best in India and the Naga Dance, a unique dance form, has gained considerable popularity over time with its attractive quality.Naga dance form is a special dance form which has been practiced in Orissa since ancient days in the religious festivities, which having originated in the state of Nagaland, India. The dance form has evolved and prospered in Orissa, mostly in the Puri district. It involves energetic and stimulating dance performances exclusively by men. Like most of the other dance in Orissa.
The Naga Dance of Orissa is performed wearing heavily colored costumes, featuring bright stripes of mostly red and black. Huge headgears decorated with various items including silver ornaments feathers adorn the dancers. Also a false beard covers most of the face of the dancer. With the help of bamboo sticks the dancers perform the steps according to the rhythm which is specially provided by the drummers. All in all, a Naga dancer requires the following to perform a complete dance:
- A Sword
- A Kukri
- A shield made out of the skin of rhinoceros
- A gun
- A horn used as whistle
- An iron Shield
- Bow and Arrow
- Tiger skin
- Toilet box
- A bell
The whole body of the dancer is smeared with yellow powder and the forehead with red vermilion. The entire get up is done to create a ferocious look. Interestingly the dance is not accompanied by any song.
