FOLK%20DANCES%20OF%20KARNATAKA

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FOLK DANCES OF KARNATAKA

• CS Mahostsava

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KUNITHA

• The ritualistic dances of Karnataka are known as
  Kunitha.
• Kunitha is a general term given to ritualistic
  dances of Karnataka. These are divided into
  specific dance forms depending on the region it
  is being performed in. E.g.. Dolla Kunitha etc.
• 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.

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FOLK DANCES OF KODAGU (COORG)

• Bolak-aat -
• 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 short
  sword "Odi-kathi" in the other while performing
  this dance.
• Ummatt-aat-
• This is performed by the Kodava womenfolk. The
  women wear the traditional Kodava dress complete
  with jewellery, and 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 deity.

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DANCES OF OLD MYSORE REGIONS

• 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.
• Somana Kunita
• Somana kunita or the 'Mask dance' is a
  celebratory form of spirit worship prevalent in
  south Karnataka region. It is performed mostly in
  village shrines dedicated to the Mother Goddess.
  The art is mostly practiced by the Gangemata
  community. The dance is characterized by the
  dancers wearing elaborate masks painted in
  different colours which represent deities.

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DANCES OF NORTH KARNATAKA

• Jaggahalige Kunita
• This is a folk art of the Hubballi Dharwad
  region, particularly of the 'Byahatti' village.
  It is performed on occasions such as Yugadi and
  Holi. Jagghalige is essentially a percussion
  instrument made of a bullock cart wheel with
  buffalo hides wrapped around.
• Karadimajal
• This is a popular folk orchestra of the north
  Karnataka region. It is performed during various
  auspicious occasions and in processions. The
  Karadi or Karade is the percussion instrument
  that is used in the orchestra. It is a palm sized
  cymbal that produces metallic sounds while the
  Shehnai is used to produce the melody.

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DANCES OF MALENADU

• Bhootha Aradhane
• This dance form is widely performed in the
  coastal areas of Karnataka. The Bhootha Aradhane
  or Holy Spirit (Shiva Gana's) 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 Bhoota
  (Holy Spirit) dances around the plinth with sword
  and jingling bells.

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• 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..
• The word Yakshagana literally means celestial
  music. This dance drama is also performed
  throughout the night, usually after the winter
  crop has been reaped.

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• Veeragasse is a dance form prevalent in the state
  of Karnataka, India. It is a vigorous dance based
  on Hindu mythology and involves very intense
  energy-sapping dance movements. Veeragasse is one
  of the dances demonstrated in the Dasara
  procession held in Mysore. This dance is
  performed during festivals and mainly in the
  Hindu months of Shravana and Karthika.

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THANK YOU

• CS Mahostsava