Dollu Kunitha
Dollu Kunitha is a major popular drum dance of Karnataka.
The “Halu Kuruba” tribes in Shimoga follow this tradition.
The performers form a semi-circle and involve in extremely swift and supple movements.
The beat is controlled and directed by a leader with cymbals who is positioned in the centre.
Slow and fast rhythms alternate and group weaves varied patterns.
The upper part of the body is usually left bare while a black sheet-rug is tied on the lower body over the `dhooti` or sarong.
Veeragase
Veeragase
Veeragase/Guggla is a dance form prevalent in the state of Karnataka.
It is a vigorous dance based on Hindu mythology and involves very intense energy-sapping dance movements performed by Jangama.
Veeragase 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.
It is performed at all important functions of Veerashaiva Lingayat household the veeragase artist's are called as puravanta in village side.
Veeragase is to be performed only by the Jangama also called Maheshwaras - clan of Veerashaiva/Lingayat community.
The performers of Veeragase are also called Lingadevaru.
The dancers put on a white traditional headgear and a bright red coloured dress.
They also adorn themselves with a necklace made of Rudraksha beads, a hip-belt called rudra muke, an ornament resembling a snake and worn around the neck called Nagabharana and anklets.
The dancers smear vibhooti on their foreheads, ears and eyebrows.
They carry a wooden plaque of Lord Veerabhadra in their left hand and a sword in their right hand.
Female artists do not traditionally perform this art, but females have started to be a part of stage performance of non-religious nature which merely as a folk dance.
The dance troop usually consists of two, four or six members.
A lead singer in the troupe narrates the story of Daksha yajna as the dance is being performed.
A huge decorative pole called Nandikolu which has an orange flag at the top is held by one of the dancers.
Traditional percussion instruments called sambal and dimmu lend music to the dance.
Cymbals and shehnai and other instruments like karadi and chamala are also used.
The dance also involves a ritualistic piercing of a needle across the mouth.
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