I. Sambalpuri Lok Geet (Folk Songs)
- Sambalpuri Geet Types:
- Dalkhai Geet: Traditional songs sung during the Dalkhai festival, celebrating the agricultural cycle and female deities.
- Bheeja Geet: Songs narrating the tales of love and longing, often with agricultural and rural themes.
- Jhumair Geet: Upbeat songs performed during festivals and celebrations, accompanied by dance.
- Geographical Variation:
- Padan-Sambalpuri Geet: Songs from the Padan region with distinct lyrical and musical styles.
- Balangir-Sambalpuri Geet: Folk songs originating from Balangir, reflecting regional variations in culture and themes.
- Themes and Topics:
- Agricultural Songs: Celebrating farming practices, seasons, and nature.
- Devotional Geet: Songs dedicated to local deities and religious rituals.
- Love and Romance: Songs expressing feelings of love and longing.
- Social Issues: Folk songs addressing social and community issues.
- Musical Instruments:
- Dhol: Traditional drum used for rhythm in Sambalpuri folk songs.
- Nisan: A wind instrument used for melodic accompaniment.
- Manjira: Small cymbals that add a rhythmic element to the songs.
II. Sambalpuri Lok Katha (Folk Tales)
- Narrative Styles:
- Panchatantra Stories: Moral stories often involving animals and birds.
- Legendary Tales: Stories of local heroes, historical events, and mythological characters.
- Fairy Tales: Magical and imaginative tales passed down through generations.
- Oral Tradition:
- Oral Storytelling: Folk tales transmitted through oral tradition, often by elderly community members.
- Performance Art: Folk tales presented through traditional folk theater and dance forms like “Dand” and “Danda Nata.”
- Moral and Cultural Values:
- Moral Lessons: Folk tales with embedded morals and life lessons.
- Cultural Heritage: Stories that reflect the cultural, historical, and societal aspects of the Sambalpuri people.
- Themes and Motifs:
- Nature and Environment: Stories inspired by the natural surroundings and rural life.
- Heroic Deeds: Tales of valor, courage, and heroism.
- Supernatural Elements: Folk tales featuring mystical and supernatural elements.
- Variations and Adaptations:
- Region-Specific Stories: Folk tales that vary by region within Western Odisha.
- Modern Interpretations: Contemporary adaptations of traditional folk tales for new generations.
This taxonomy can serve as a guide to understanding and categorizing the rich cultural heritage of Sambalpuri Lok Geet and Lok Katha, helping to preserve and promote these traditional art forms for future generations.