FOLK DANCE OF WESTERN ODISHA...

DALKHAI  DANCE:

The most popular folk-dance of western odisha, though important during Durga puja its performance is very common on all other festival such as Bhaijuntia,phagun puni,Nuakhai etc.
This is mostly danced by young women of Binjhal,kuda,mirdha,sama and some other tribes of sambalpur ,Bolangir, bargarh,sundargarh district's  of odisha in which men join them as drummers and musicians. The dance is accompanied by a rich orchestra of folk music played by number of instruments however, the Dhol player controls the tempo while dancing in front of the girls. It is known as Dalkhai because in the beginning and end of every stanza the word is used as an address to a girl friend. Young girls sing the Dalkhai song in the sulha kuthi,the abode of goddess Dalkhai and later perform the dance outside...
Dalkhai song:
Dalkhai re,Dalkhai re
Dashara dhula kayen raja pahar dhula,
Dhule,nisan,tasa deuche tala ..
Muhuri bajuche tiri niri niri..aasa nachi jima talar dunguri 
Dunguri se phale  chaanr,khajuri.
Bhela bhela jima jete dhangiri...
Aaiche Dalkhai tihara .Dalkhai gayema, dalkhai nachma,manar katha hema kayen Dalkhai 

KARMA DANCE:

This pastoral dance is performed during the worship of the God or Goddess of fate (karamsani Devi),whom the people consider the cause of good and bad fortune. Singing and dancing is done in accompaniment of drum (mandal),cymbal etc. The dance performance, full of vigor and energy combined with charm of the youth decked with colorful costumes in exuberance of red cloth, set in peacock feathers, skillfully designed ornaments made of small conch shells, brings the onlookers as well as the performers to a mood of trance and ecstasy. 


NACHNIA:

Nachnia dances are performed during any festive occasion and marrige ceremonies in the villages of western odisha. Wearing colorful costumes and Ghungroos in their feet,taking a chamar in hand perform the dance with the accompanist.. the content of the song is based on various aspect of marriage and mythology. 

BAJNIA:

It is a Rhythm oriented folk dance of western odisha mostly performed by the Harijans who are professional Dhol,Nishan, and Tasha players. Bajnia-meaning the group of dancers meticulously observes the rigorous principles of the dance styles,rhythm and tune passed on them from generation to generation. 
The acrobatics of the Nissan player with the centrally positioned group of female dancers are highly attractive. 

CHUTKU CHUTA DANCE:
This dance of western odisha, incorporates all the style,forms, theme and rhythm of the region beautifully choreographed into a presentation creating an a rural and tribal culture of the state. 
It has all the elements of various forms like Bajnia,Nachnia, Rasarkeli,mayelajada,Dulduli and other sub forms.

DHAP DANCE:

It is a musical instrument performed by the kondha tribe of western odisha. Both men and women participate in the dance. Men of one village dance with women of another village. Usually unmarried boys and girls take part. The dance is performed during marriage ceremony and more often for the sake of recreation. 
The dhap is in the shape of a khanjari made up of wood with one side open and the other side covered with a piece of animal skin. 

PARVA DANCE:

It is a dance from having some stringent principles and carried over generations. It is performed by seasoned exponents due to rigorous and difficult stepping, movement and gyrating acrobatic to specific rhythm and is difficult to dance for more than 10 minutes. Only Dhol and Ghanta are played specific rhythm. 
It symbolize shiva and shakti....

SANCHAR:

In sanchar Dance form the artist himself plays a music, dances and sings simultaneously.while performing this difficult task they dance with the rhythms of mrudang,kartal,Nupur and kathi. The subject of the dance with equation covers themes from Ramayana, mahabharata, Bada,Nrusimha purana and soci aspects .A group constituting of 7 to 9 members narrates in the local sambalpuri dilect,odiya,sambalpuri and hindi.