Karnataka is a vast land with rich culture and traditions. Within this diverse land there are several dance forms that are highly celebrated by the people but are still under spoken about. Dollu Kunitha too is one of these beautiful art forms. Originating from the rituals of Kuruba Gowda of North Karnataka, Dollu Kunitha is high on energy and performed during major festivals and celebrations. This art form not only provides a spectacular variety but also showcases complexity of skills in the process of demonstration. The word Dollu Kunitha has been derived from the Kannada word, Dollu meaning drum, and Kunitha meaning dance - foreshadowing the history behind the art form. The drums are vigorously beaten on as a form of worship to ‘Sree Beeralingeshwara’ who is considered as a form of Lord Shiva.

 

HISTORY : The story behind the art form is that several years ago a mighty Demon named Dolla Asura worshipped and adored Shiva in order to please him. Satisfied by his praise, Lord Shiva appeared in front of the Demon and granted him the power to make a wish. Dolla Asura wished to be given immortality or the ability to consume Shiva. Shiva granted his wish to swallow him. Believing he had gained the upper hand, Dolla Asura swallowed the Lord. Once in his stomach, Lord Shiva continued to grow larger, accumulating more space in his stomach. The Demon, unable to bear the tremendous pain begged the lord to come out. Shiva now tore through the Demon and killed him. Later Shiva used the skin of Dolla Asura to create a drum which he gave to his devotees named the “Halu Kurubas”. THE

 

TROUPE AND THEIR PERFORMANCE: Dollu Kunitha is performed in a group of 10 or 12. Both men and women can be part of the Dollu Kunitha troupe. The drum dance is usually performed in a circular or semicircular fashion with drum holders beating drums in sync along with singing and music. The beats are controlled and directed by a leader with cymbals who is positioned in the centre. The entire performance stitches into beautiful tapestry of dance while slow and fast rhythms alternate, and the group waves through varied patterns.

 

WHERE CAN YOU WITNESS DOLLU KUNITHA: Dollu Kunitha is an integral part of various temple, festivals, cultural events, and celebrations like Karaga festival processions, Mysuru Dasara, Jambu Savari and Bengaluru Hanna. As a little child, I would peek outside the window to find myself wonderstruck by tall men draped in animal prints, setting the atmosphere around them into a show of grandeur and pomp. They would lead mighty processions worshipping gods, celebrating Hindu holidays or a local deity followed around by a flock of people merrily dancing to the rhythm of the drums. They would play their grandly adorned instruments with such vigor ,setting their core into a rhythmic vibration leading everyone in its presence into a trance elevating them from their mundane surroundings. Such a rare art form that holds the power to not only to instill devotion in the heart of the listener but also bring a feeling of triumph to the people around should not be something that anybody has to Google to know about  .