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@article{190009,
        author = {Dr. Ajita Kumar Muni},
        title = {Legends of the Kaibarta: The Folk Theatre Art of Ghoda Nata in Odisha},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {2720-2726},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190009},
        abstract = {Ghoda Nata, also known as Chaitali Ghoda Nata, is a significant folk theatre tradition of coastal Odisha, deeply rooted in the ritual life and livelihood of the Kaibarta fishing community. Originating from the Kaibarta Gita of Achyutananda Das and the Kaibarta Purana of Budhimanta Puhana, this performance tradition combines myth, ritual, music, dance, and narrative to preserve collective memory and religious identity. Performed mainly during the Chaitra–Baisakha period, Ghoda Nata centers on the worship of Goddess Basheli and employs a symbolic dummy horse as its core performative element. This paper examines the origin, development, performance structure, characters, music, costumes, ritual practices, and contemporary transformations of Ghoda Nata through literary sources and field study. It also highlights the challenges faced by practitioners in the modern era, including economic insecurity and declining youth participation, while noting recent changes such as increased female involvement. The study underscores Ghoda Nata’s cultural value as a living folk theatre form and emphasizes the need for its documentation, preservation, and institutional support.},
        keywords = {Traditional folk theatre, Kaibarta Gita, Kaibarta Purana, Dhagadhamali, Ritual performance and Coastal Odisha.},
        month = {January},
        }