Two Folk Dances of Assam Suknani OjapaliandDeodhani will be featured in an Assamese film to be released during in October in a bid to create awareness about the unique but neglected Art Forms. The film revolves round the life and the plight of the artistes associated with these dance forms.
Assam is culturally very rich. Its social life is incomplete without its traditional and unique folk art forms like Ojapali, Deodhani dance and puppetry, among others. Unfortunately, the rush to become a modern Society by neglecting tradition and traditional folk arts over the decades has affected their popularity and posed a threat to their identity.
Suknani Ojapali is one of the ancient traditional art forms of Assam. It is a half dramatic performing art. The Suknani Ojapali recites songs of goddess Manasa from the Padma Puranas composed bySukavi Narayan Deva. On the other hand, Deodhani is a folk dance performed solo or in a group. This dance form is associated with the worship of goddess Manasa.