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Two Nights with the Spirits
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by Dr. Neria H. Hebbar |
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Bhuta Nrtya in Kondla
The Beginning During my recent visit to India, I had the unique opportunity to attend the yearly celebration of the Spirit Dance (bhuta kola) in Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka State. This dance is a performance by spirit-forms (bhutas) that have attained demigod status in the eyes of villagers. The ancient tradition as practiced for many centuries is very prevalent in coastal Karnataka and Kerala (the region called Parashurama Sristi - the part of sea reclaimed by Lord Parashurama).
On the upper story of the gudi is a statue of the main spirit, Hallathayi. It is a life-sized stone idol sculpted in the appearance of a fully adorned Hallathayi. No one knows how old it is. There is barely enough space for the statue to stand in total darkness, and the entrance is a narrow treacherous staircase. I went up to shoot a picture of this imposing statue, but the feeling was eerie. I did not spend much time up there.
The dance rituals are all-night affairs. There is a local fair that sells trinkets and clothing for the villagers' benefit. (Now progress has reached the villages and a DVD movie is shown on television screen as part of the attractions.) The major landlord of the village, (who also foots the bill for the ceremony), is the guest of honor. One of the members of the family will attend the ceremony and get their assurance from the bhuta that the gods have been satisfied with the villagers' conduct and promises to protect the village for the coming year.
It started with the ceremonial transfer of the silver jewelry to be worn by the dancers from the landlord's house, on the night before the festivities. This year the celebration was spread over two nights. On the first night the dance ritual was conducted in a place called Upper Kondla (often pronounced as Kolna) in the village of Neria. The major player or the main bhuta here is called Hallathayi.
The aura and the strength of the bhutas are derived from Durga, the female personification of Hindu pantheon of gods. They usually are fierce forms of Durga, reminiscent of Kali. However, the bhutas are not considered as gods but are sentries of god, especially of Durga. Every spirit has a story and history behind it. While the long process of makeup of the dancer is in progress, the women, to the beat of a simple drum, sing the story of the bhuta's previous travels and the heroics of the spirit's prior adventures. These songs are called Pad-dana (many of the folk songs in Tulu Nadu are sung in the style of Pad-dana). The dance ritual can only be performed by a certain caste of Hindus. A single-family usually inherits the right to dance, performed by male members of the family. The women folks of this family know the Pad-dana that is relevant to the particular spirit. Hallathayi of Upper Kondla
The most respected bhuta here is Hallathayi, a female who has attained powers of Durga. She has a horse as her vehicle (vahana). Pili-Chamundi, another form of Durga with tiger as her vehicle dances next. A wooden horse is used by for Hallathayee to circumambulate the gudi three times during the dance ritual.
Then it is time for Hallathayi to mount her horse. The mechanical horse made for this purpose is pulled by some of the villagers, circumambulating the gudi three times. She finishes her performance by blessing the villagers, who have come forward to give her offerings. Each one is given a frond of flower of areca nut (called pingara), and touched with her sword, while chanting a blessing. 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)
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.
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. Kadapu Panjurli of the Hilltop Early next night, I went to see the formidable bhuta that has taken the form of a wild boar. This spirit called Kadapu Panjurli dances in front of a gudi on a hill. This is also a female bhuta and the origin of the bhuta is interesting. Long time ago, it was common for the villagers to be threatened by herds of elephants. The elephants caused much destruction of life and crop. The villagers used to dig wide pits and ditches (known as kadapu) around the village to prevent the elephants from venturing into their lands. This was not always successful, they believed, unless they had the protection and blessings of this bhuta - Panjurli with the face of a wild boar.
The bhuta dance starts with the priest giving the dancer coconut oil in his hand. Kadapu Panjurli is immediately possessed, as soon as the oil touches the dancer's hand. He pounces and rolls on the ground shaking and vibrating, as the loud music hits a crescendo, and eventually passes out after a series of uncontrollable conniptions. When the dancer comes to his senses, he proceeds to adorn his makeup, while the women of his family sing the Pad-dana and recount the bhuta's history. When the makeup is done the bhuta is transformed and dances to vigorous trumpets, horns and drums until she is exhausted. She demands more coconut water, toddy and fowl. When she is presented with a rooster, she kills it and symbolically eats it while trembling as if she is possessed. The scene is gruesome.
Needless to say, I was a bit shaken after this dance performance. Fortunately, this ritual is performed only once in two years. The bhuta in her trance had to be cooled down by the villagers with fans. She stared down the whimpering villagers who promised to appease her more than they already had with more gifts. Finally, when she settled down, she went around blessing the villagers. I left to catch a few hours of sleep before the next performance in the Lower Kondla later that night. Raktheswari and Bhavana of Lower Kondla I returned to Lower Kondla to see the main bhuta Raktheswari dance at about two in the morning.. She is another incarnation of Durga, who is a very popular bhuta in this part of the state. The Pad-dana went on for a long time as this bhuta has quite a history. She is also accompanied by one of her soldiers called Bhavana. He can be characterized as the sidekick of Raktheswari, who provides comic relief during the act. Unlike Hallathayi, Raktheswari's hair is not tied in a braid, but left loose. In most of the villages in Dakshina Kannada, Raktheswari is the most powerful spirit. In Kondla, however, a less powerful incarnation of Raktheswari, namely Hallathayi, has attained a more prestigious state. Legend has it that Hallathayi during her wanderings fell in love with Kondla and decided to settle down there. She was more pleased when the villagers recognized her powers and built the permanent abode for her in Upper Kondla. So Raktheswari was relegated to a lesser role to Lower Kondla with the bhuta kola (dance ritual) only once in two years.
The End
But then I reassured myself. Other centuries-old practices have become integral parts of Indian culture. India is averse to change, especially when it comes to tradition and faith. The longevity of the bhutas of Kondla may surprise us all.
The ornaments of the bhutas were returned to the landlord's house for safekeeping for another year. The bhuta dancers were paid an extra amount and the women folks were given saris and other household items. They all left with smiles on their faces, exhausted but already looking forward to next year's festivities. |
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23-Apr-2006 | ||||
More by : Dr. Neria H. Hebbar | ||||
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praveen parava 02/05/2020 03:15 AM |
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