নাটুয়া

Domain:Performing arts

State:

Description:

The video is a documentation on the natua, an ancient folk dance of Bengal. The film is based in Purulia and includes interviews with performers and researchers. It mainly focuses on the life and career of two natua artists, Hariram Kalindi of Balarampur Thana and Gunadhar Sahis of Konnapura village. The natua tradition is usually handed down from generation to generation. The origin of natua is traced to many sources. One origin story links it to the dance of Nataraja or Lord Shiva while another traces it to the marriage of Lord Shiva as mentioned in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. There is one more form of natua, the Santali Natua dance which is performed during weddings as a welcome dance by villagers. Although the term natua has nat or 'drama' in it, the folk dance has no element of drama in itself. It combines a variety of separate performances that showcase physical fitness, strength, acrobatics and gymnastics.