Disrespect Shown to Female Pala Singer – An Insult to the Art
An incident of disrespect towards a female Pala (traditional folk narrative performance) singer has been reported from Dhol village under Chandanpur police limits in Puri district. Geetanjali Samantray, a singer from Badala village under Gadasantha police station in Konark Block, had been invited by the villagers of Dhol and Biranchidaspur for a Pala performance scheduled from 24th February to 1st March.
After performing for two days, she was suddenly humiliated and asked to stop the performance. Despite being paid for only two days, she was forced to sign a receipt for seven days’ payment. Additionally, Nabakishore Das of her own village, along with her husband and team members, were subjected to verbal abuse and attempted assault by some locals.
Following the incident, Geetanjali Samantray lodged a written complaint at the Chandanpur Police Station. Although she informed the Utkal Bharati Pala Gayaka Parishad (a folk singer’s association), no resolution or support has been provided by the organization so far.
