Art & Culture    
Two Nights with the Spirits
Bhuta Nrtya in Kondla – 4
by Neria Harish Hebbar, MD

Pili-Chamundi of Upper Kondla

Following Hallathayi comes Chamundi (another Durga manifestation) with a much lighter garb.  Her dance is more energetic and vigorous, in step with the beat of drums and horns.  She has a mask resembling the face of a tiger (that reminds one of Kali with her tongue extended)

       Accepting the gaggara for the dance     Pili-Chamundi in praying with his grass skirt 

After she accepts the gaggara in front of the gudi, she wears the skirt made from the fronds of coconut palm.  The dress is complete when she wears another larger skirt and a back shield made from the same material.  She runs from group to group demanding coconut water and other gifts.  She is also given the torch, chamara and the mask of a tiger that she holds in front of her face while she lets out a fierce roar that reverberates in the jungle around.  

Fully dressed with grass skirt, shield and the tiger mask
The torch gives the possessed dancer a sense of power

Following the dance ritual, the bhuta visits with the villagers and blesses them with her sword.  People tell her their problems, and she assures them that all their difficulties will be solved with the help of their faith. The festivities ended in the wee hours of the morning.      

– Continued 

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