The Odisha government has banned the “obscene and vulgar dances” and double-meaning dialogues in jatras (folk theatres) and melodies, which are very much a part of the state’s popular culture.

Any deviation on the part of jatra parties would invite strict legal action including a complete ban on the staging of shows, cautioned officials.

District administrations have been asked to ensure that there is no display of vulgarity or nudity during the jatra or melody shows which often misinterpret and misrepresent Odia culture.

In a letter to the district collectors and superintendents of police (SP) issued on Monday, the Odia language, literature and culture department said: “Jatras and melodies are the popular modes of entertainment for the masses in Odisha. But it has been noticed vulgar dances are being displayed and double-meaning dialogues are being delivered. People are finding it increasingly difficult to watch these entertainment programmes with family members due to excessive displays of vulgar dance and double-meaning dialogues. They are unable to enjoy the stage shows.”

Stating that such display of vulgarity has a negative impact on the minds of the youths, the department said the youths were going astray and turning to criminal activities. While senior artistes welcome the move, budding jatra artistes disapproved of the move.

“We know where to draw the line. People are paying us for entertainment and it’s our job to entertain. What’s wrong with it? No one has objected to all these in parallel cinema too. When we struggled hard to survive during the Covid time, where was the government? No help was given. Now we are trying to bounce back and such an unwarranted notification has been issued. We should not fall victim to moral policing,” said a female jatra activist who requested anonymity.

Senior artiste Daitari Panda, who has been doing jatras for more than 30 years, told The Telegraph: “Many jatra parties are now showing item dances as part of jatras. It is a show of vulgarity. Earlier, we used to display various forms of dances and people used to come. Without the display of nudity, the jatra still can attract viewers.”

Panda said: “Jatra has survived all obstacles. We should not allow it to die and we should comply with government orders. Eminent reviewer of jatras in Odisha, Gopinath Barik, told The Telegraph: “It’s a welcome step. But it has come a bit late. The jatra and melody parties are competing with each other and in a bid to outsmart each other, they are indulging in public displays of vulgarity which is unfortunate. We have recently witnessed all these at the Khandagiri Mela in Bhubaneswar where the jatra parties displayed vulgarity in the name of opera. There was a lot of hue and cry. But no actions were taken against the jatra parties.”