Marriage between a pair of lacquer dolls which is solemnized in the district every year for the last nine years with pomp and gaiety due to an initiative of a socio-cultural organisation to propagate the lacquer works is gaining immense popularity.
This year, the preparation for the gala event is in full swing while the nuptial knot would be tied between two mythological characters, Shiva and Kalijai, on May 11.
Dinabandhu lenka and his wife Jayanti while would shoulder the responsibility as father and mother of symbolic bridegroom (doll) Shiva, Mahendra Jena and his spouse Minati would play role of father and mother of the symbolic bride (doll) Kalijai , this year .
The reception after marriage would be held on May 14 at Gandhi Smruti
Bhawan. “We feel fortunate being given an opportunity to shoulder the responsibility of a groom’s parents and host a reception dinner,” said the lenka couple.
The doll construction work began on Ram Navami after the soil was brought from river Triveni , the confluence of rivers, Budhabalanga, Sono and Gangahar.
“As per decision of our committee, each year the construction works begins on Ram Navami and the marriage is held on Jestha Ekadashi. The sacred soil and water for construction of idols are brought from the Triveni . Each year, the nuptial knot is tied between the groom and bride in different names associated with the mythological, historical and folktale characters,” said artist Kesu Das, a key member of Jau Kandhei festival committee.
“This year the bride groom’s and bride’s names would be Shiva and Kalijai( also known as goddess Kali) respectively. Since 2009 the event is organised here,” he said, adding the king of Parikuda (where the temple of Kalijai is situated), Santosh Kumar Deb Bharmarabar would be gracing the marriage event. As a dowry towards the groom, the bride parties would be cleaning beach. “The objective is not only to revive our age- old tradition but also to commemorate the prominent characters of mythological, historical and folktale besides to promote lacquer culture,” said president of marriage festival committee as well as a founder member Subasini Jena .“We would be holding seminars and workshops on lacquer works during dolls' marriage,” said artist Das.