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Secular Dances
If religious dances arouse religious sentiments of the people, the secular
dances provide entertainment. Kolata, Chit mela, Marakalu Kunitha, Chennu
Kunitha and Simha Nrutya are some of the important secular folk dances in the
state.`
Chit mela
'Chit mela' which is performed by a group of ten artistes
and is replete with colourful exhibition of eye-catching presentation
is dominated by an unusual butterfly like display.
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Chennu Kunitha
The folk art of Chennu Kunitha, the harvest dance found
in Puttur, Coondapura and other villages of South Kanara give an insight
into the cheapest mode of communication through entertainment.
Maragalu Kunitha
The folk dance of 'Maragalu Kunitha' consist of unique
wooden legs which the artistes literally wear to gain unusual height.
Wearing uniquely designed artificial legs the artiste easily captures
the attention of the people through executing impressive but difficult
feats.
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Kolata
Kolata or stick dance is a kind of valour dance involving
groups of people who indulge in bending, swaying and jumping activities
to the tune of rhythmic clashing of sticks. With two sticks in hand, each
dancer can strike in various patterns and rhythms. There is considerably
more flexibility in the pattern of dancing so also singing. Members of
Vokkaliga, Nayaka and Golla communities of Mysore, Mandya and Hassan districts
and the Hallakki Gowda community of North Karnataka and the Kodavas of
Coorg excel in Kolata. There is a rich spread of romantic and valour themes
and references to contemporary, political and social issues in Kolata
songs.
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Alayi Hejje
'Alayi Hejje', a semi religious dance of the Muslim community
of Karnataka, is a classic illustration of harmony between the two predominant
communities of India, the Hindus and the Muslims. Jointly performed by
both Muslims and Hindus, the presentation in Alayi Hejje consists of performers
dancing around a fire pit. It appears like a rope dance with 20 to 25
dancers holding identical ropes which are hung from bamboo poles. The
dancers form a circle and dance around the pole artistically winding and
unwinding the ropes like plaits.
Alayi dance is an amalgamation of action and dexterous footwork, supported by
appropriate devotional theme. Performed as part of 'Muharram' festival, Alayi
Hejje provides a favourable forum for accomplishing the much needed communal
amity in this much diversified society. Serving as a symbol of communal harmony,
the theme of Alayi Hejje can be explored for other purposes, than it presently
expounds on the stage, besides its religious functions.
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Simha Nrutya
The folk dance which is totally free from ritualistic
and religious barriers is 'Simha Nrutya' (lion dance), the popular dance
of the Honnavara taluk in the Uttara Kannada districts, usually performed
by 'Yakshagana' artistes. The dance is in effect a charming imitation
of a lion's movements. Hence the dancer wears a costume which closely
resembles the lion. The costume is specially made of bark and yarn using
natural dyes. The dancer wears a mask which is made up of cotton and is
done to look like a lion's face. Two silver pangs are inserted in the
mouth to create a visual impression of fangs. With the perfect portrayal
of a lion's behaviour, movements, mode of hunting and preying, Simha Nrutya
is not only entertaining but educative also. Simha Nrutya, generally performed
during the Yakshagana play is attracting attention and has been used in
the propagation of messages like preservation of wild life, dangers of
deforestation, dangers of poaching etc.
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