বরাক উপত্যকার লোকসংস্কৃতিতে ‘নৌকাপূজা’ ও ‘ওঝা নৃত্য’ : একটি পর্যবেক্ষণ / ‘Boat worship’ and ‘Ojha dance’ in the folk culture of Barak Valley : An Observation

Abstract

Manasa Puja, also known as 'Boat Puja', is a traditional splendor of Srihatta-Cachar district or Surma Barak Valley. Generally farmers or people of Dhibar community celebrate this puja with divine worship. This puja is celebrated on Maghi or Falguni Shukla of panchami tithi. The Boat worship is commonly observed atleast for five to eight days. Generally in Barak valley, the festival grounds are built over a vast field adjacent to the Nilambazar-Durganagar area. Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, a total of 70 gods and goddesses are present as spectators in the worship and observed the dance of Behula. Lakhindar, Chand Saudagar, Sanaka, Behula, Neta and many others also occupy their respective places during the worship. Moreover the role of Manasa plays a significant role in this worship as the worship is majorly related with the worship of Manasa. Boats are prepared by worshipers by using long bamboo, cloth, clay. Every boat is made of 14 cubits in height. The boat is built from three to seven stories. Traditionally, during the eight-day long puja, Manasamangal or Padmapuran readings are performed, accompanied by dance and song sessions. Female eunuchs or hijras - locally known as ‘guruma’ or ‘gurumi' - appear as the main singers of the song. Gurma i.e. Ojha sings songs with leather in hand and dancer's outfit. But now due to their extinction other lower caste people participate as singers in this song. So, a huge pandal for Gayen-Bayen-Ojhas are built in front of the main mandapam. There is a seating arrangement for hundreds of devout spectators. Hope the people of Barak valley will also come forward in an effort to keep this folk cultural boat worship alive.