Folk Performing Arts of Southern Karnataka Part-3
Date
Authors
Principal Investigator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Pooja Kunita is a popular ritualistic folk dance to worship Goddess Shakti. It is practiced largely around rural backgrounds like the Mandya, Mysore, Kolar, and the Tumkur districts of Karnataka. It is extremely colorful and visually delightful. Today it becomes performing and entertaining troops. The worship of Shakti is found all over the world. Thattilu kunitha, Hai Kunitha, and Eduru Kunitha are also types of Poja Kunitha. He also performs aerobatics skills in pooja dance. Somana Kunitha dance of Soma, the soma dance belongs to the traditionally known Shakti dance. It is a dance in wearing of mask equally entertaining. To look attractive or majestic it is decorated with colorful clothes and its legs are decored with Anklet. The artist who wears the mask will use the big nostril the mask to visualize another artist. There are many folk arts in Karnataka. Among them, Somana Kunitha is one such art form. It is also a religious ritual performance. The tamate player also sings three-line lyrics to the Goddess of Shakti.
The lyrics are sung in praise of the Goddess and seek her blessings. Thus they are used to spread the power of the Goddess. The co-artists join the main artist at the end and raise their voices together to create an atmosphere of enthralling devotion.
Dollu Kunitha is the drum dance that is quite popular across Karanataka, Bijapur, Bellary, Belgaum, Tumkur, Chikmagalur, and Shimoga are known for popular Dollu Kunitha. It is a unique folk dance called a masculine art form. The drum is tied around the waist and is beaten with a round stick. Among the folk dances, the Dollu Kunitha is called Veera Kunitha (the courageous dance). Among the folk performative arts, Dollu Kunitha has its special place. A troupe consisting of ten to fifteen members performs a variety of dances as they beat the drum. There is another dance too in Dollu Kunitha that is stick dance, Saaru Kari Dance, Hucchellu dance, hand beats, etc.