সাঁওতাল জনগোষ্ঠীর ডাঙ্গুয়া কারামে নাট্যগুণ অন্বেষণ

Abstract

'Dangua Karma' means 'Youth Karma'. It is a religiously instructive and ritual-based festivity exclusive to the Santal indigenous tribe who has faith in their ancient religion. Dangua Karma is organized to implant religious sentiments, regarding Santal theories about creation and God, deep inside the Santal youths' hearts. When the Santal population chooses a new area to reside on, they organize this festivity in the first place. They believe that the execution of Dangua Karma would prevent their village from natural disaster, reduce any kind of illness and fatalities by snake-bite as well as decrease poverty and unfortunate events during the next year. It is from such a devotional belief that the people of the Santal community decide to organize the ritual of Dangua Karam on a day of the year. Since trees are the essential element of this festivity and the event is organized exclusively for the youth, thereafter, the festivity is named Dangua Karma. Based on a performance of Dangua Karma festivity, organized by Noren Murmu of Kachua Kazipara village at the sub-district of Tanore in Rajshahi district, this article focuses on the resemblances of Dangua Karma celebration with those of the Traditional Bengali Drama and Bengali Narrative Drama performances. Finally, this article reaches a conclusion that Dangua Karma is the ritual-based theatrical or dramatic expression of the Santals consisting of dances, traditional songs and other narrative acts.