Jajpur Road: ‘Jodi Mahuri (a set of two wind musical instruments) was once indispensible on every auspicious occasion like marriage, 21st day celebration, birthdays, sacred thread ceremony, among others in the state. This was perhaps the reason that made the instrument ‘Mangal Badya (auspicious musical instrument)’.
But nowadays they are fast disappearing. In towns, Jodi Mahuri is hardly heard during auspicious occasions. The fate of these instruments in rural pockets, barring one or two, is also no better.
The players of these instruments are called ‘Mahuria’. Though they are found across the state, there are around 2,000 Mahuria families living in this district alone. Korei, Sankhachila, Kuninda, Brahmabarada, Jabara, Naguan, Binjharpur and Bari are the places thickly inhabited by this community.
When asked about the reason for their present condition they held the DJ sound system responsible for making it almost a thing of past. “With the coming of the DJ sound system, the taste of the public changed a lot. They prefer the DJ sound system to old instruments. As they are ignorant of the tradition of these instruments being played during auspicious occasions, they go for modern sound systems that are cheaply available,” they said.
As we are not getting calls as we used to our finances have shattered. Our sons have turned their back to this age-old tradition. They are not keen to take it up as they hardly get any money from it, they said.
The financial condition of traditional players has been affected so much so that many trained players have packed their instruments in boxes and are working as daily labourers.
Mahendra Jena says those who have kept the tradition alive are not getting respect in society. The government should provide a way for our survival, he said.
“During elections, many leaders come to our villages and promise steps for our revival. Once the polls are over, they forget their promise.” they said. Worse, many of them have not got BPL and ration cards.