Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Odisha government has asked the police and district administrations to take action against “nude dance and double-meaning dialogues” with sexual connotations in Jatra shows. These travelling folk entertainment operas have been popular across the state for over the last six decades.
“Jatra and melody are the means of entertainment. But the excessive display of vulgar dance and double-meaning dialogues during a performance has made it difficult to enjoy the shows with family members. The permission letter to Jatra parties should clearly mention that there should be no nude dance and double-meaning dialogues during the performance. In case of violation, necessary action will be taken against them,” a letter from the culture and Odia language department addressed to all superintendents of police (SPs) said. Four years ago, Jatra actress Rani Panda stirred s controversy in the famous Khandagiri mela where she was accused of doing excessive skin shows and gyrating to suggestive songs like “Double Anda”.
The incident triggered a huge uproar with police remaining present in subsequent shows to prevent “obscenity”.
