By: Himanshu Guru
In the earlier days, when electricity had not been invented, people in Odisha were using a lamp called ‘Dibiri Bati’ as a source of light. Kerosene was being used as the fuel for it. Even today we rarely see such lamps in the rural pockets. While such practice was prevalent in urban areas, in hilly areas and in remote places people were struggling to get their houses illuminated. Almost, after sunset most places were shadowed with darkness. However, use of Dibiri is problematic as it releases black smoke. Hence, the walls and roof of houses were getting blackened with frequent use of Dibiri.
Later, ‘Chimili’ was used as a source of light in Odisha by some people. A cloth is being rolled to fix (Salita) which is set on fire to light the house. As per researchers, by 1920 traditional lantern and chilii were in use to deal with darkness.
Traditional lantern was used to illuminate surrounding space which was portable. Based on the use, it was also used for signaling, decoration and in religious rituals or in celebrations.
In a traditional lantern, a wick is set on fire, that is surrounded by a round shape glass to protect the flame from getting extinguished. On the upper side it has wholes for ventilation, which keeps the flame burn.
Asked about usage of lantern in earlier days, people of Sriram Nagar in Sanakhemundi area of Ganjam district say that till electricity had not been supplied to their village, the villagers were often using traditional lantern to illuminate their houses. These days, due to availablility of other arrangements lantern are not in use. The old lanterns that they were using have been kept in either their store houses in a wretched condition, or it has already been thrown.
Bangali Sahu of Digapahandi area says these days lantern is not required as we have charge lights, candles or inverters at home. However, we have kept it in the house as a memento and to educate the new generation about it. Similarly, Simanchal Tripathy of Sanakhemundi area said that earlier during study hours, marriages or any other social functions lantern was required. However, time has changed.
Dibiri, Chimili or lantern are hardly found in the market these days. As per traders, there are very few customers who ask for lantern these days. Hence, sell of lantern has reduced hugely. Earlier, it was available at a price of Rs. 50, but now the price has gone up to Rs. 300. According to some people, now only for decoration purpose, lanterns are being used.
As per some youths, they have not seen use of lantern at their homes. Rather, they have seen it in hotels or parks as a decorative item.
As per some Odia researchers who have taken up to dig about Odia culture and practices, it has been estimated that lantern came to use in Odisha in between 1910 and 1915 AD. Kerosine first came to the State in 1907. In 1920, some litterateurs had wrote aabout a glass surrounded lamp in the dictionary.
In the earlier days, in the polls lanterns were being fixed and the job was being managed by the Municipality. In Railways, also lantern was in use. By 1980, electricity was supplied to all areas and in the following time the use of traditional lantern reduced to almost zero. And now lantern is like a memento for us.
Kalinga AI