What is "ghantapatua"

Ghantapatuas (Also Patua) ( Oriya: "ଘଣ୍ଟପାଟୁଆ", a performer beating "Ghanta") are traditional male folk artistes from the Indian state of Odisha. They work as temple servants in the goddesses' temples and perform in Jhama nata during Pana Sankranti, celebrated mainly in Odisha. On the day of Pana Sankranti, performers ("Patua") dressed in traditional Odishan dress walk holding. Males of castes "bauri", "dama", "kandara" and "pana" perform as Ghantapatua. In some of the places in Odisha, ghantapatuas pierce metal nails and tie rope with them to hooks and perform. They offer the dance to goddesses Sarala, Hingula, Charchika, Bhagabati, Mangala and Chandi as servants. Ghantapatuas perform in a group of two or four perform wearing dresses that resemble women's dresses.