The folk genre of music played in a Kendara is known as Kendara Geeta. The Kendara is a wooden stringed instrument that has one string and is played by drawing a bow across its string. They are played traditionally by Jogis, who go from door to door for alms. The instrument rose to popularity during the 12th century when Sanskrit was made the official language of the then Utkala kingdom. The Kendara is popular with the Natha community, who are Vaishnavas. There is also Majhi Kendara, which is played by the Santhal people in Odisha. Kendara is a suitable topic for Anthropologists, like Bauls of medieval Bengal. Baul Singers were also worshippers of Lord Vishnu. Both Kendara and Baul Singers sing devotional songs. These songs are full of Karuna rasa—melancholic songs. It touches the heart straightforwardly. Among the nine rasas of Sanskrit poetics, Karuna rasa is the best. That is why it is said—Eko rasa Karuna eba. In fact, there is one rasa only—that is Karuna rasa. Karuna rasa is the rasa of sadness, of which the highest form is compassion.
Pity and sadness are born of ignorance and attachments. We feel sad because of the illusion of suffering. The ignorance is created by maya. Then we experience the highest form of Karuna. The Sanskrit word Karuna means compassionate action. It is one of the fundamental virtues of Hinduism. It is often linked with loving-kindness and non-violence.
Kendara songs are mainly sung from the two epics—Ramayana and Mahabharata. In some particular topics, the sorrow is very intense—mainly in the matter of the transitoriness of this world. The Natha community of Paramanpur village of Sambalpur District sings beautiful sad songs with Kendara. The sweetest songs are of the saddest thoughts.
One example is –
“Bhaju kina Rama Nama
Bhaji na parile kula chandramare
Bandhi neba Kalajama.
Sehi Kalajama bada darunare
Na janai dukha sukha
(Always chant Rama Name. If not, you will be taken by Yama, the God of death. That Kalajama is very cruel and does not distinguish joy and sorrow.)
“Kene chhadigalu Pranara Sangata, Tohara bachane sita mruga marigali
Leuti aasante tora mukha na chahili.
(Rama laments—my beloved Sita, where have you gone? According to your desire, I went to catch the deer. When I returned, I could not see your face.)
“Rama Bolanti—kene luchichha Nabina Vriksha Mananku Kahile
Tume dekhicha ki Jgata Duhita?
Kimpa rahichha Maune?
(Rama said—Where have you hidden Nabina Sita? He asked the trees of the forest—please tell about Sita.
Why are you remaining silent?)
Like this, there are several sad songs of Kendara. Tears come out from the eyes while listening to these songs.
Here it may be said—this rich cultural heritage should be preserved for good. Kendara Singers are poor, indigent people. They should be supported economically and culturally.
We should not lose such beautiful culture. This is the root of our culture. This is the core of our hearts. Mathew Arnold rightly said—culture is sweetness and light. The sweetness and light of Indian culture are remarkable. We must preserve it for posterity at any cost. We should not take it lightly.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )