The Ojapali

Darrang of Asom, has a population representing diverse ethnic, religious and linguistic communities which have rich cultural heritage and social customs. Ojapali is one of the unique form arts of Darrang which involves three art forms - Song, Dance and Drama. It is performed by a group of 4 or 5 men of whom the chief performer is called Oja who is supported by 3 to 4 Palis, and hence the name Ojapali.. The only instrument played by Ojapali is Khutitaal (palm sized Cymbal). The performers wear long sleeved white gowns, silver jewelry etc. and Nupur (bundle of tiny metallic percussions played by body vibrations).Ojapali can be divided into 2 forms basing on the occasion & style: Byah and Sukananni.
Sukananni Ojapali aims at presenting the tragic story of Behulaa-Lakhindar from Padma Purana among the masses. The easy yet high standard rhyme is accompanied by pleasant rhythm, tune and dance. Different Mudras are remarkable part of this form also. The team dances here too. This art is performed normally during Manasa Puja (Worship of Goddess of Serpents). The Ojapalis first praise various gods & goddesses and then gradually move to the epic of Behula-Lakhindar. Though the presentation is targeted for the mass, it maintains high dignity & standard.
Deodhani dance is performed solo or in group of 3 or 4 females essentially on the occasion of worship of Devi Manasa (or Maroi). As per mythology, Behulaa had to dance before the goddess Manasa to get back her husband's (Lakhindar) life. The dancer wear Mekhela iin Muga, red blouse, different traditional jewelry and leave their hair open. The dance to the tune of Jaidhol (specific cylindrical percussion instrument) & Khutitaal, played by Palis. This dance form depicts the process of worship of Devi Manasa. A striking moments of this dance is dancing with Daa (sharp weapon used for sacrifice), and the rotating of dancers' head in rapid circular motion, with open tresses.
It is believed that Deodhani s get possessed by the Goddess in course of the dance.
Ojapali
Ojapali is one of the unique form arts of Darrang which involves three art forms - Song, Dance and Drama. It is performed by a group of 4 or 5 men of whom the chief performer is called Oja who is supported by 3 to 4 Palis, and hence the name Ojapali.. The only instrument played by Ojapali is Khutitaal (palm sized Cymbal). The performers wear long sleeved white gowns, silver jewelry etc. and Nupur (bundle of tiny metallic percussions played by body vibrations).
Ojapali can be divided into 2 forms basing on the occasion & style: Byah and Sukananni. As the history goes, there were two very talented singers named Barbyahu & Sarubyahu during Koch Kingdom. They were often invited by Kings to sing various mythological & religious rhymes. With time, their style got popular among people of the area.
The central subject of this Byah Ojapali are the epics - Ramayana & Mahabharata. Unlike other Ojapali forms, the story is sung in pure classical style involving Ragas. A noticeable element of this form is the different Mudras (Gestures of hands & fingers). Dance is another key part of the performance. To make the presentation interesting & make people understand, they perform humorous dialogues & narrations in between.
Sukananni Ojapali aims at presenting the tragic story of Behulaa-Lakhindar from Padma Purana among the masses. The easy yet high standard rhyme is accompanied by pleasant rhythm, tune and dance. Different Mudras are remarkable part of this form also. The team dances here too. This art is performed normally during Manasa Puja (Worship of Goddess of Serpents). The Ojapalis first praise various gods & goddesses and then gradually move to the epic of Behula-Lakhindar. Though the presentation is targeted for the mass, it maintains high dignity & standard.
Lalit Oja of Sipajhar area of the district has been awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award for his expertise in Sukananni Ojapali and for contribution in popularising this traditional folk art form. Chorus, the 'Palis' are his assistants and the 'Daina Pali' is the principal assistant. The number of assistants may be three, four or more. They dance, play small cymbals and sing stories from the epics and the puranas. Their dance bears clear evidence of many aspects of Indian classical dances like 'Hasta', 'Gati', 'Bhramari', 'Utplavana', 'Asana'. etc.

The Costumes
The Oja wears Pag-Jama or 'Ghuri', bangles, 'Unti', ring and Nupur, and ties a 'Tangali'. The classification of 'Savaras' by Oja-Palis into 'Ghora', Mantra and Tara corresponds to the Indian classification of 'Udara', 'Mudra' and Tara. The songs sung by Ojas: Malaci or Malanci Geets and 'Jagar' are in Sanskrit language. They also sing a kind of mixed song, 'Patsha' Geet, which were written under Muslim influence.

Types Of Oja-Pali Dances
There are three kinds of Oja-Pali dances, namely - Vyasa Geet Oja, Suknarayani Oja and Ramayani Oja.

(1) The Oja-Pali of "Vyasa Geet" mainly sings the songs of the Vaishnava cult. Here, the themes of the dances are adopted from the stories from Bhagavata, Mahabharata and Harivamsa. The make up of a Vyasa Oja differs from that of a Sukanarayani Oja. The Vyasa Oja wears a long white skirt, a tight fitting jacket, a turban of a particular shape, anklets and various other gold ornaments of the neck, hand and ear.

(2) The other Oja named "Suknarayani" chants mainly the hymns of the snake goddess, Manasa composed by Sukabi Narayan Dev, an Assamese poet of the olden days. The theme of the dance is the story of 'Behula' and 'Lakhindar', which is mainly connected with Goddess Manasa. The costume of this kind of 'Oja' consist of a long shirt known as 'Chapkan', a white Dhoti, a 'Chaddur', a pointed turban and various gold ornaments of the wrist, neck and ears.

(3) The third variety of Oja, "Ramayani Oja", puts the costume akin to Vyasa Oja and sings only the songs from the Ramayana. Unfortunately, this kind of Ramayani Oja-Pali is disappearing slowly.

All the three kinds of Oja-Pali dances have reached exquisite perfection in 'Karana', i.e. posture and 'Angahaara', i.e. gesture.