নাটুয়া/Natua

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 hereditary. There exists two legends related to the origin of this art form.One is associated with Lord Nataraja’s famous Tandavanritya, while the other legend traces it to the marriage of Lord Shiva as mentioned in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. Another form of Natua, is the Santali Natua 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. This dance form can be found in parts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh along with part of West Bengal. It combines a variety of separate performances that showcase physical fitness, strength, acrobatics and gymnastics.