Danda Nata organisers worry over night loudspeaker ban

Berhampur: Organisers of Danda Nata in silk city are in a quandary after police warned them to follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court, which has prohibited the use of loudspeakers after 10 pm, and stop vulgar dancing.
Police action came after a Danda Nata committee member was allegedly stabbed to death at Jena Sahi over site selection on Sunday and public outrage following the staging of theatre with alleged vulgar dancing at Gandhi Nagar on March 27. Police issued notices to seven organisers the next day.
Danda Nata, a popular seasonal folk dance in Ganjam district, is held to appease Lord Shiva and Devi Shakti. By playing drums, barefooted participants called ‘dandua' perform ‘Dhuli Danda' at midday, ‘Pani Danda' in ponds during evening, and ‘Agni Danda' at midnight. After Agni Danda, another group performs theatre to entertain the people, with committees hiring artists for dancing.
Danda Nata, which is held over 14 days (in some places for 21 days), will end on Makar Sankranti on April 14.
"Organising Danda Nata without permission and beyond permissible time, and showing vulgar dancing on stage will attract criminal cases," said SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M. He stated that the use of loudspeakers is not allowed after 10 pm as per the SC order.
Organisers said they would not allow vulgar dance in theatre. But as per tradition, they have to play drums and other musical instruments during Agni Danda. "We have requested the police to allow us to perform Danda Nata as per tradition," said Tarini Charan Behera, a committee member.
Several Danda Nata committee members met the SP on Tuesday and requested him to allow them to perform as they have already paid advance money to the theatre troupes. "We will suffer financial losses if the police ask us to strictly follow the orders," said Behera. They, however, assured to follow the instructions from next year.