The recent movie Kantara smashed all box office records. A movie made with a budget of 16 crore INR collected our 400 crore INR at the box office. The story of the movie revolved around a Tulunadu traditional ritual known as Bhoota Kola in which the dancer is possessed by the deity.
Our vacation to the coastal belt of Kerala gave us an opportunity to explore this local ritual of the Tulunadu people who mostly stay along the coast of Karnataka and some adjoining parts of Kerala.
This old performance based ritual is as old as 700 to 800 BC which coincides with the immigration timeframe of the Tulu tribe in India. In 'Bhoota' Kola, Bhoota refers to the local local Gods. One of the person in the temple where this ritual was happening told us that they have around 80 Bhootas or deities and out of them 10 are popular. They worship 3 to 4 Bhootas in Bhoota Kola, the ones that are the most powerful and active ones. They protect the believers from any calamities,bless them with prosperity and protect their lands.
Before going we read a lot of articles on the internet and in many of those it was written that Bhoota Kola is performed in Kasargod and Kannur in Kerala. However on reaching Kasargod, a local guide told us that in Kasargod its Theyyam that is performed every year but people mistake it for Bhoota Kola. Bhoota Kola is mainly performed in coastal belt of Karnataka ( Mangalore and Udupi ). In Kannur and Kasargod its Theyyam.
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| A dancer dressed as Daiva |
However he told us about two Tulu temples which are more towards Madikeri where the performance was happening.
So we reached there. The preparation for the dance starts from early noon. The dance area is cleaned, decorated with leaves and flowers and a small hut is created for the Bhoota. The three to four dancers who are experienced in Kola start with their makeup. Others associated with the performance make costumes out of tender coconut leafs. These costumes are worn as skirts, head masks, bracelets and leg decorations. Meanwhile the priest continues with his puja and offerings in the adjoining temple.
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| skirt made from leaf |
The main dancer takes the role of Panjurli who is the main God of the Tulu tribe. Panjurli is the boar headed, forceful God. The entire dance duration is always accompanied by drum and some kind of trumpet music.
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The tremendous success of the movie Kantara, bought hordes of people from far places to witness this performance ritual. The locals told us that till last year, Bhoota Kola used to be a very community specific performance and it was restrictive in its popularity but this year they are seeing people from Bangalore, AP and even Telangana coming to the Tulunadu region specifically to see the ritual.
India is a land of such great diversity, practices and beliefs. If local people start telling the original stories of their land and ancestors through any of the popular medium, what wonderful things we all can get to know and see.
