Chaiti Ghoda is a colorful item of performing art of Orissa specially done by the fisherman community during the full-moon day of Chaitra month. It is said that Lord Rama had presented a horse to the boatman who had helped Him to cross the river Saraju during the period of his Vanavas. Hence they worship horse.
Each group has at least three characters beside the musical accompanists of Dhol and Mahuri. These three characters are the Rauta the Rautani and the horse dancer.
An image of horse is improvised out of bamboo and cloth, complete with a head, body and tail but without legs. The dancer enters into the cockpit of the hollow body and hangs it at his waistline to give the illusion of a rider on the horse, complete with straps, Performance are done in an arena without a green room.
Rauta, who is the main singer commentator, delivers discourses mainly from mythology. The Routani, in the role of his wife is the chorus and co-singer and dancer. During the performance, dramatic sequence are highlighted with regular improvised dialogues and humorous episodes. During the discourses, the singer also explains the text in simple language with
similies and quotation. A lot of vigorous dances are done by the Rautani and the horse
dancer. sometimes a pair or more horse dancers join in, which turns the performance into a sheer thing of
beauty, with varied compositions.