Kala Mela

Janapada Art forms

Kala mela

Karnataka has very rich folkloric traditions which have been kept alive for centuries. Every part and community of karnataka created and enjoyed the folk music and dance suitable for society. Folk dance in karnataka reflects the rural culture and traditions of the kannadigas.

1)Dolu Kunnitha - This is a group dance that is named after the Dollu - the percussion instrument used in the dance. It is performed by the menfolk of the Kuruba community of the North

2)Puja kunnitha -Puja Kunitha at Karnataka is distinctive in its use of bamboo poles which are extremely well decorated with colors and clothes of different hues. They are rhythmically swayed

3)Kamsaale - The Kamsale dance is named after the instrument held in the hands of the dancer. This instrument comprises a shoola held in one hand and a bronze disc in the other. The main element in the art is the rhythmic clang which blends with melodious music of the Lord Mahadeswara epic. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beatings are moved around the body of the dancer in innumerable patterns manifesting both skill and art. In a group movement the dancer provides the vision of a series of offensive and defensive maneuvers.

4)Geetha Gayanaa -Folk music

5)Puja Kunitha - Puja Kunitha at Karnataka is distinctive in its use of bamboo poles which are extremely well decorated with colors and clothes of different hues. They are rhythmically swayed

6)Pata Kunitha - Pata Kunitha typically employs the use of the pata, which are primarily long bamboo poles decorated with color ribbons. Each of the bamboo poles are about 10 to 15 feet

7)Keelu Kudure - Keelu Kudure Dance is an imitation of the movements of a horse, by men and women with a contraption made to resemble a horse. This art form is popular in all the states of South India. The words literally mean ‘a horse on false legs’. The dancers are attached to a dummy horse at the waist. Instead of four legs of a horse only two legs of a person with a prop on his body are seen. The situation in Karnataka is a little more elaborate.

8)Veerabhadra Kunnitha - The dance form depicts the story of Veerabhadra, the legendary minor god created by Lord Siva to teach a lesson to his father-in-law Daksha. Veerabhadra to go to the place of the yaga and destroy the ceremony. Hence, the fiery mood that prevails in the dance. Dancers wear traditional colour full kache and wore long white hairs with face sculpture on the head. In one hand they hold sword and dance to and fro powerfully.

9)Janapada Jaadu - Magic Show

10)Somana Kunitha - Somana Kunita or the 'Mask dance' is a celebratory form of spirit worship prevalent in south Karnataka region. It is performed mostly in village shrines dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The art is mostly practiced by the Gangemata community. The dance is characterized by the dancers wearing elaborate masks painted in different colours which represent deities.

11)Gaarudi Gombe - Gaarudi Gombe is a folk dance prevalent in the state of Karnataka, India. Dancers adorn themselves with giant doll-suits made of bamboo sticks. The term Gaarudi-Gombe means magical-doll in the native language, Kannada. This dance is performed during major festivals and also in the procession held during the festivities of Mysore Dasara.