Traditional Art Forms

Traditional Art Forms

Subject: Art and Culture

Context: The recent success of Kannada film Kantara ( which showcases Bhoota Kola, a spirit worship ritual dance of the Tulu-speaking people of Udipi and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka)  has put the focus back on native cultures such as the Yakshagana, Daivaradhane, Kambala or Theyyam.

About Theyyam

• It is a popular ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka. It consisted of thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs.
• The people consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
• Each Theyyam is a man or a woman who attained divine status by performing heroic deeds or by leading a virtuous life.
• Most Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations of Shiva or Shakti (the consort of Shiva). Or they have strong associations with these principal deities of Hinduism.
• The main instruments used for thottampattu are Chenda, VeekanChenda, Ilathalam and Kuzhal.
• Theyyams are performed in sacred groves and other places usually once in a year and is known as Kaliyattam.

About Yakshagana:

• Yakshaganais a traditional Indian theatre form, developed in Karnataka.
• It combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
• It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during the period of the Bhakti
• Most of the stories in yakshagana are drawn from the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatha and other mythological episodes.
• The name yakshagana suggests the music of celestial beings.
• Yakshagana is believed to have evolved from the ancient Bhutha-worship prevalent in South Canara and Kasaragod.
• Theyyam is also a manifestation of this Bhutha worship.

About Bhoota Kola/Daivaradhane

• Bhoota means ‘spirit’ and Kola means ‘play’ in Tulu.
• It is basically a spirit worship ritual celebrated by Tulu-speaking people in Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka and some districts of Kerala.
• Kola is also called ‘nema’ which means ceremony, which goes on from dusk to dawn.
• The Kola is performed by professionals who belong to the lower castes of society
• The performer of the Daiva or Bhoota usually wears a skirt of tender palm leaves which is easily flammable and helps them to perform acts with fire.
• The performer displays an aggressive outlook, dances fiercely and performs multiple rituals.
• This performer is feared and respected in the community and is believed to give answers to people’s problems on behalf of the spirit.
• Drums and music give company to the dancing and pooja rituals.
• By praying together during Bhootada Kola, the community seeks God’s blessing, prosperity and riddance of various problems the community is challenged with.
• Bhootada Kola is said to have some influence from Yakshagana, a more popular and widely performed folk dance in coastal Karnataka.
• Some of the Bhootada Kola rituals also involve walking on a bed of hot coal.
• Popular Bhootas: Panjurli, Bobbarya, Pilipoota, Kalkuda, Kalburti, Pilichamundi, KotiChennayaare some of the popular gods (Bhootas) worshipped as part of Bhootada Kola.

About Kambala

• Kambala is an annual traditional Buffalo Race (he-buffalo) held in coastal districts of Karnataka to entertain rural people of the area.
• Slushy/marshy paddy field track is used for Kambala.
• The sports season generally starts in November and lasts till March.
• The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each pair race in two separate wet rice fields tracks, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer.
• In the traditional form of Kambala, buffalo racing is non-competitive and buffalo pairs run one by one in paddy fields.
• Besides, there is also ritualistic approach also as some agriculturists race their he-buffaloes for thanks giving to god for protecting their animals from diseases.
• But in recent times, Kambala has become an organised rural sport.