Sankha badan The enlivened performing folk Tradition

JODI SANKHA(Double Conch)

Sankha badan or Blowing of shell onspecial occasion and festivals, is the profession of a class of people in odisha, particularly in the southern district Ganjam,where  on like the standard practice double Conch(Jodi sankha Badan)"are blown simultaneously. While commanding control over breath for a long period even stretching up to several minutes, they blow the Conches bringing out uncanny rhythms to various Drums and other percussion instruments. 

Conch blowing or "Sankha Badan "is associated with every religious function and auspicious event from time immemorial. During the period 

Lord shri Krishna used to blow the Conch before any event may it be the war. It relates to the heralding of auspicious occasions, social and religious festivals. 

Jodi sankha (Double Conch) is a unique presentation of rural music having badya and Nrutya in a combined form. While blowing the conch the artist display, what astonishes, is the harmony between the modulation of the Conch and physical movements. 

The art is martial, spirit is rustic, costumes are colorful. 

The other accompanying instruments are Dhol, Changu and Mahuri,which combined together with the thrills of the Conch present an emotional orchestra of rural music. 

Credit should go to padmashree Late BHAGWANA SAHOO in popularizing the art form beyond the southern district of odisha, to other areas across the state and natural boundaries. This folk dance is now known at National and international levels. 

Popularly know as "Jodi sankha (Double conch) it developed more around style with no script or dialogue. It was originally confined to the village and rural people, but in the last thirty years it has developed around martial art with astute physical movements and variations of Yoga postures (Assanas),shape of pyramid,Horse Rider, Lotus and other mythological episodes like kaliadalana,Garudasana etc.

The tune are based on traditional Champu and Chhandas.During the entire presentation, Conch blowing continues and the Blowers dance to the tune rhythms of Dhol and Mahuri in circular and semi circular movements while performing acrobatics in between.