By Rajkumar Mohanty
Puri (Orissa), April 17: The oldest and the biggest open air theatre of the world, Sahi Yatra, kicked off to a colourful start here on the occasion of Rama Navami on Monday.

About 1000 actors are participating in the Sahi Yatra, the play on the mythological theme of Ramayan in the streets. The event would continue for 11 days.

Sahi Yatra's origin is traced to 12th century with emergence of Ramanujacharya who widely preached the cult of Rama.

The Jagaghars (Schools of martial arts and physical culture) and Akhadas (consortiums) were raised in and around the Lord Jagannath temple and at all the entry points to the city to fight the invaders and to protect deities.

At times when needed these stalwarts of Jagaghars played vital roles in shifting the deities in secret from the temple to remote hidings during the Muslim aggression of the state.

At present, there are about 80 units of skilled and trained youths under nine important Akhadas located in Kalikadevi Sahi, Matimandap Sahi, Harchandi Sahi, Markandeswar Sahi, Baseli Sahi, Kundhaibenta Sahi, Dolamandap Sahi, Bali Sahi and Goudabada Sahi (units of lanes) of the city who participate in the play.

The play is directed to perfection with entrustment of particular scenes and events to specific Jagaghars.

They present the scene in accordance with the progress of the Ramayan story till it ends.

As per the system, one Sahi prepares a scene and presents it in the streets of another Sahi.

Hundreds of youths exhibit their acting talent and physical skill during the progress of play procession.

The play starts from Kalikadevi Sahi that presents the scene pertaining to the birth of Rama, and another Sahi follows the next scene.

The episodes include confrontation of Rama with mighty Parsuram, Yajna Rakshaya of the saints, breaking of Shiva Dhanu by Rama, marriage scene of Devi Sita, Banabas, Mayamriga, killing of Khar Dushan, Suparnarekha episode leading to abduction of Sita by Ravana then searching of Sita by Rama, Sugrib and Bali incident, raising of Setubundh to Lanka and finally war with the demon king Ravana. Killing of his brothers one by one and then of Ravana marks the end of the 11-day-long play.

The star attractions in the Yatra are the characters of the Rama, Ravana, Parsuram, Hanuman, Sugrib, and Angad etc. The Sahi Yatra is famous for its Naga and Medha dance.

Naga symbolises valour of the Orissan soldier, while Medha dance of the Kalika, Kali etc preserve the classical dance blended with martial stints and techniques.

The exchange of dialogues between the mythological characters is as old as 700 years.

The guardians of the Jagaghars have preserved their part of the play as closely guarded secret, which the gurus pass to the worthy pupils in course of time.