Popular among the coastal areas of Ganjam district, this dance receives its name after the bamboo sticks carried for support. The young village dancers standing on the sticks, dance with utmost ease and show remarkable skill in balance and agility to the accompaniment of Dhol and Mahuri.

Ranapa literally means a stilt. The dance on the stilts is prevalent among the cowherd communities of South Odisha mainly in Ganjam district. The artists standing on the stilts dance with atmost ease to the accompaniment of “Dhol” and “Mahuri” (wind instruments). Songs relating to the boyhood exploits of Lord Krishna are also sung intermittently. Padmasri Bhagaban Sahu with his party presenting this item have dazzled many a spectator in and outside the state on ceremonious occasions with the symmetrical movements of his young dancers on stilts accompanied with “Dhol” and “Mahuri”