Kunitha is a traditional dance of Karnataka performed by men of the Kuruba tribe. This is a dance performed almost on every occasion, whether a small or large function.
The Kuruba Caste
Kuruba is a Hindu caste native of Karnataka. It is the third-largest community in the state. The most common activity or profession for them is herdsman. They perform a form of the Kunitha dance, known as Dollu Kunitha.
Background of Dollu Kunitha
The temples of Beereshwara have a “Dollu”, meaning a drum hung with the help of a thread attached to the hooks in the ceiling. Each time there is a prayer offered to the Beereshwara, there should be an instant beating of the Dollu. The story behind it is that a demon named Dolla-asura worshipped Shiva to please him.
Shiva appeared in front of him and asked him to make a wish. Dolla-asura wished to be given immortality or to be able to consume Shiva. Shiva granted his wish to swallow him, but then Shiva started growing larger and larger. The demon could not take the pain and told Shiva to come out. Shiva tore through the demon, killing him to come out. Then Shiva used the skin of Dolla-asura to create a drum which he gave to his followers named the “Halu Kurubas.”
Kunitha Dance Costumes
Dollu Kunitha is a dance form of the Kunitha dance. The word “Dollu” refers to a drum and “Kunitha” stands for dance in the Kannada language. During a time where there was no TV, this dance form was one of the most valuable sources of entertainment for the village people. In this dance, there are a total of twelve to fourteen dancers, sometimes sixteen with one person who is the singer and director, who sets the tune of the dance with the musical instrument.
The rhythms of the Dolly Kunitha dance songs differentiate from slow to fast, and the whole group of dancers unites with different patterns. The costumes worn by the dancers are mostly with their upper body being left bare, and a black sheet is bound to their lower part of the body over a dhoti—an association which was led by K.S. Haridas Bhat went to the USSR in 1987 to perform in places like Moscow, Leningrad, Vyborg, Novograd, etc.
Somana Kunitha
Somana Kunitha is another dance form of the Kunitha dance, very famous in the south part of Karnataka. This is a form of goddess worship mostly practiced at village shrines devoted to the Mother Goddess by the community of the Gangemata. It is celebrated originally after Ugadi and before the start of the monsoon season at Maha Shivratri.
The masks used in this dance are garnished with different colors created from red sandalwood, signifying the god’s essence. Some more accessories like canes and peacock feathers are used in this dance form. The songs or tunes are played by the drum (doonu), pipe (mouri), etc. The dance starts from the goddess temple with singing praises for the god. Sometimes an offering of a howl’s blood is also provided to the goddess.
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