Unravelling the Essence of Bhuta Kola in Odisha through a Contextual Reading of Gopinath Mohanty's Dadi Budha

The Bhuta rituals take place in many regions of Karnataka. The expression ‘Bhuta’ implies deity or divine being while ‘Kola’ signifies play. It is a prophecy that invoking the divine beings are believed to recoup serendipity. It is also a means to alleviate local inhabitants from their predicaments. This sort of folk tradition is explored in Gopinath Mohanty’s Dadi Budha which is translated into English as The Ancestor by Arun Kumar Mohanty. The novella narrates the touching history of the Paraja tribe and their rich culture. It highlights the oral tradition that is practised in the village of Lulla. It later chronicles the life of the villagers and how this folk-wisdom is passed to succeeding generations.