| Bhaona
Bhaona is a theatrical performance of a Vaishnava Ankiya Nat, a one-act
play, initiated by Sankardeva. It is chiefly aimed at propagating Vaihnava
tents and performed in
village Namghars and Satra premises.
The Sutradhara of an Ankiya Nat,
though not a character of the play, is an integral part of it; he recites
slokas, sings, dances and explains in prose what is what at every stage
of Bhaona. The Natuwa or Cali dance is perhaps modeled on some temple
dance, although it is included in the Bhaona. There are two kind of Natuwa
dances, Pakha Jiya and Hajowaliya. Hajowaliya is a woman's dance and both
tandava and lasya have been combined to make it. The hair style of a knot
tied as the crest, small karamanis (beads) over a lahanga (mekhala) and
an orna over the face constitute the dress. |
