Folk arts of Karnataka
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Dances of Karnataka are one of the ancient dance forms existent in India. Most of the tribal dances are still in effect and enhanced also due to preservation and nature loving culture of Kannadigas.
[edit] Kunitha - A Ritual Dance
The ritualistic dances of Karnataka are known as Kunitha. One of such ritualistic dances is the Dollu Kunitha. It is a popular dance form of Karnataka, accompanied by the beats of decorated drums and singing. This dance form is mainly performed by the men of the shepherd community known as the Kuruba community. The Dollu Kunitha is characterized by vigorous drum beats, quick movements and synchronized group formations. Another dance form of Karnataka is the Puja Kunitha. In this dance form the dancers carry a wooden structure having a deity on their heads.
Other dance form - Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha are named after the deity or the symbol or instruments which are balanced on the head or held in the hand of the dancer. The Pata Kunitha, the Gorava Kunitha and the Kamsale are some of the other common ritualistic dances.
[edit] Classical Dances
Among the classical dances of India, the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam, is the oldest and most popular dance form. It is widely performed here. Other mainstream classical dances here include Kuchipudi and Kathak.
[edit] Folk arts of Kodagu
"Huttari Dance" and "Bolak-aat" of Kodagu This is the annual harvest dance of the Kodavas. The men, dressed in traditional Kodava costumes with the decorative knife, perfom this slow moving dance to background music. This dance has different varieties.----------------
[edit] Bolak-aat
According to legend, this is one of the 30 styles of dance that was performed by Lord Vishnu before slaying the demon Bhasmasura. This is performed by the Kodava men in front of an oil lamp in an open field. The men hold the chavari(Yak fur) in one hand and the Kodava sickle in the other while performing this dance. Many regional variations of this dance exist. Sometimes performers dance only with the chavari without the use of the sickle. When the sickle or the kodava katti is also used, it is called kattiyaata. The dudi, a hourglass shaped drum is used to provide the rythm for the dance.---------
[edit] Ummattat
This is performed by the Kodava womenfolk. This dance is also traced to mythology where Vishnu in the form of Mohini is supposed to have performed this dance during the Samudra Manthana or the churning of the seas for nectar of immortality.
The women wear the traditional Kodava dress complete with jewellery, adorn the forehead with kumkuma and in a swinging rhythm dance in a circle, brass cymbals in hand. One woman stands at the center holding a pot full of water to represent Kaveri taayi or Mother Kaveri, which the Kodavas worship as their prime diety.}}
[edit] Kombat
While the Bolaak-aat and the Ummattat are of a celebratory and festive nature, the Kombat is a dance performed with religious sentiments. It is traditionally perfomed in temple premises, but, in recent years, it is performed in other places also. This is a dance performed by the Kodava men and deer horns are used as a prop. The deer horns are meant to represent those of the Krishnamruga, a spotted deer in Kodava legend.
The dance is performed to rhythmic tunes provided by wind instruments and percussion. The dance includes certain martial movements that represent some of the techniques used by the Kodavas in warfare.
[edit] Hagalu Veeshagaararu (Day Actor's)
Hagalu veshagaararu are a group of itinerant actors of Karntaka. Some populations of these artists are native to Andhra Pradesh also.
These artists are masters of the art of miming and their performances are extempore. No formal stage or facility is used. The artists move from place to place and pitch tents in places where they offer to perform their show.
The artists perform their own make up and dress up as various mythological, legendary or social characters. Performances also draw from daily life and sometimes even full length plays are staged. They enact amusing scenes and sing vachanas of Sarvagna, Basavanna and others.
The harmonium, the tabla-dagga and a pair of cymbals are used as the instruments to provide music and rhythm. For their performances, which they stage in village squares and fairs, they receive foodgrains as reward. This is collected in a bag by an assistant who accompanies the troupe. Most hagalu veshagaraas are of the Veerashaiva faith, while some are also Muslims. Sometimes they are addressed by the term jyaatigaararu or as belonging to the Muslim community. They are also known by other names such as suDugaaDu siddha (the monk of the cemetry) or bahuroopi(of several disguises).
As the name hagalu veshagaararu suggests, they perform mostly during the day(hagalu) and only menfolk take part in the performance. The roles of females are also performed by the menfolk. While entertainment is the main objective, the hagalu veshagararu also serve to educate the village folk of several mythological and social issues by way of their performances.
[edit] Krishna Parijatha
Krishna Parijatha is a popular folk theater art form of North Karnataka. It is an amalgamation of Yakshagana and Bayalata, portraying stories or incidents from the great epic Mahabharata.
[edit] Bhootha Aradhane
This dance form is widely performed in the coastal areas of Karnataka. The Bhootha Aradhane or devil worship, includes a procession of idols depicting 'bhoothas". This procession is characterized by the beating of drums and bursting of firecrackers. After the end of the procession, the idols are placed on a plinth. Then, a dancer personifying a devil dances around the plinth with sword and jingling bells. The dancer dances vigorously at one point of time and then slows down, signifying that he is now a divine person.
[edit] Nagamandala
This ritualistic dance form is performed by the people of south Karnataka. It is done to tranquilize the serpent spirit and is an extravagant affair held throughout the night. The dancers called the Vaidyas are dressed as nagakannika. They dance all night long around a huge figure, drawn on the sacred ground with natural colors, in a pandal specially erected in front of the shrine. This ritualistic dance is generally performed between December to April.
[edit] Dollu Kunitha or Dollu Dance
This is a group dance that is named after the Dollu - the percussion instrument used in the dance. It is performed by the menfolk of the Kuruba community of the North Karnataka area. The group consists of 16 dancers who wear the drum and beat it to different rhythms while also dancing. The beat is controlled and directed by a leader with cymbals who is positioned in the center. Slow and fast rhythms alternate and group weaves varied patterns.
The costumes are simple. Upper part of the body is usually left bare while the a black sheet-rug is tied on the lower body over the `dhooti' or sarong.
A troupe led by K. S. Haridas Bhat also toured the USSR in 1987 giving performances at Moscow, Leningrad, Vibrog Archangel, Pskov, Murmansk, Tashkent and Novograd.
[edit] Beesu kamsaLe or kamsaLe nritya(dance)
This is a group dance form performed by the menfolk in villages in the Mysore, Nanjanadudu, Kollegala and Bangalore areas. It is named after the Kamsale that is used both as an instrument and also as a prop by the dancers themselves. The kamsale comprises of a cymbal in one hand and a bronze disc in the other and is used to produce a rhythmic clang.
The Kamsale nritya is closely connected to a tradition of Male Mahadeshwara or Shiva worship by the haalu kuruba community. Most of the dancers are also drawn from this community. The dance is therefore performed to rhythmic and melodious music that is sung in praise of Lord Male Mahadeshwara or Shiva. The dance is a part of a 'diiksha' or oath and is taught by teacher or spiritual leader.
This artform was showcased prominently in Kannada movies like Janumada jodi and Jogi where the protagonist is a kamsale dancer.
[edit] Karaga
Karaga is one of the oldest forms of dance attributed to devotion.
[edit] Dance Drama
[edit] Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a dance drama performed in the coastal areas of Karnataka. This unique dance form is a perfect blend of dance, music, songs, scholarly dialogues and colorful costumes. Yakshagana mesmerizes each and everyone in the audience with its enchanting music and colorful performances.
The word Yakshagana litreally means celestial music. This dance drama is also performed throughout the night, usually after the winter crop has been reaped.
Some of the famous dancers of Karnataka include
- Dancing duo -Radha Ravi
- Usha Datar
- Cinema/Theatre personalities - Sudha Rani and Sridhar.
