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 Colours of Karnataka- Folk dance...

“Of all the arts, none remain as rooted in ritual as dance.”- Anonymous

The reverberating sounds of ankle bells infused with graceful movements. The colourful costumes creating an enthralling effect upon its onlookers, the compelling expressions unfolding the hidden tales just like a gush of free flowing river that does not know to halt!

Dance is the manifestation of enunciating at its purest form. It sets the dancers soul free to express and reveal their invincible spirit. Dance is not merely the movement of body; instead it portrays the divinity of one’s exalted soul. History bear witness to several kind of dances, which along with their cultural aspects were performed to please gods and goddesses.

Out of the innumerable forms of dance one such is folk dance. Folk dances are fine exemplification of rich culture, tradition and diversity of various communities and ethnicities. They have a distinct characterization with their astounding spontaneity and vivaciousness with which they are performed. Folk dances are the epitome of the three significant facets in a dance, that is, expressions, emotions and feelings.

Even though it has a unique way of presentation, unfortunately, the folk culture is losing its grip in the current scenario. With the emergence of new mode of dance styles, its sustenance is becoming a challenge for the government. But a folk dance has much more to impart through its performance than alone a platform of entertainment.

Karnataka’s folk dance preserves a plethora of age-old charm in its bosom. The brilliant concept, the vibrant costumes and the enchanting story line, promises to captivate its spectators through their vigour and exuberance. The state along with its strong aesthetic appeal also boasts an exceptional figure of folk dances, which is approximately eighteen in number! The main dances include Huli Vesha (Tiger dance), Dollu-Kunitha, Kamsale, Veergase dance.

A fascinating drum dance which is accompanied with singing, Dollu Kunitha pledges to be a prominent dance of Karnataka. It not only provides a spectacular variety and complexity of skills in the process of demonstration. But also puts across entertainment and spiritual elucidation. The performance is woven around the presiding deity of Beereshwara that is chiefly worshipped by the Kuruba Gowdas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is a semicircular dance usually performed by the men of the shepherd community, and the music is from the traditional instrument called the Dollu, which produces a thunderous sound. The drums are decorated with colored cloth and are slanged around the necks of the percussionists. Other musical instruments used for the dance are cymbals and flute. The powerful drumming, energetic movements, and the coordinated group formations make the dance form more attractive.

An exclusionary folk dance that poses to the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, Hulivesha predominantly known as Tiger Dance is performed during Dussera to honour the Goddess Sharada, whose favoured animal is the tiger. As the name proposes ‘tiger dance’, the characters also are painted with the motif of a leopard or cheetah. Each person will be wearing just knickers which usually have a tiger skin motif. The rest of his bare body and face is painted with various designs that denote tigers, cheetahs and leopards. A mask made of fake fur and sometimes a tail is worn to complete the ensemble.

Karnataka’s inimitable folk art Kamsale, performed by the devotees of Lord Mahadeshwara is popularly known as ‘Devaraguddas’. Kamsale is named after a brass musical instrument held in the dancers’ hands. This instrument comprises a shoola held in one hand and a bronze disc in the other. The main element in the art is the rhythmic clang which blends with melodious music of the Lord Mahadeswara epic. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beatings are moved around the body of the dancer in countless patterns manifesting both skill and art. In a group movement the dancer provides the vision of a series of offensive and defensive manoeuvres. Kamsale is closely connected with a tradition of Shiva worship. The artists who have vowed to live a life of devotion to lord Mahadeswara are supposed to performs Kamsale.

The symbolic presentation of the heroism and valour of God Veerabhadra is prevalently represented in the form of Veeragase folk dance. Its exponents are called Lingadevaru and they perform the dance with religious fervour at festival time especially during the months of Shravana and Kartika. The dancers put on white turban like head gear and wear kavi coloured dhotis, rudrakshamala, nagabharanas and a wooden plaque of Lord Veerabhadra on their chest and smear their forehead ears and eye brows with vibhooti. Sporting an unsheathed sword in the right hand and a wooden plaque of Veerabhadra in the left hand, the dancers perform a martial dance to the beat of Karadi and chamel drums.

In an effort to keep classical folk arts alive, students from classes nine and twelve from aided and government schools across the State will document the history of these art forms, communities involved in them, their costumes and so on. The students are expected to interview artistes, artisans, take photographs and videos.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development initiates to promote arts in education among high school students which will be a part of the Kala Utsav project. The students will also have to complete an online art project where the art form chosen is documented and put on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The folk culture and its authentic representation of sheer traditions are beyond time. It comprises of a charm that is irreplaceable. Dance, be it in any form, is something which connects with the soul and thus cannot die. As they say it, “It is with your feet that you move but it’s with your heart that you dance!”