Twelve pairs of legs thump the wooden stage to the brisk rhythmic beat of sheepskin drums and cymbals, creating an atmosphere that would mesmerize the air above the Science College grounds. Twelve youths of Kuruba tribal community of Ranebennur in Haveri district of Karnataka performed Dolu Kunitha or Dhol folk dance at the ongoing National Tribal Dance Festival in Raipur on Tuesday.
It was a great achievement for a group of energetic men to represent their community at the national level. It was also a matter of pride that the tribal communities of their area recently got international recognition through Rishabh Shetty’s blockbuster Canadian film ‘Kantara’.
Set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada, ‘Kantara’ follows a Kambala champion played by Shetty, who comes into loggerheads with a conscientious forest range officer named Murali, played by Kishore.
Kambala is an annual race held in coastal Karnataka from November to March, in which a jockey drives a pair of plow-tied buffaloes through parallel muddy tracks.
Rajappa, one of the dancers, said, “We are very happy that Shetty made this film and now it is a hit all over the world. Confrontation with the authorities is a constant part of our lives, we live with it.”
Rajappa and others in his team come from the Kuruba community, who are traditionally goat and sheep herders and live off the land. The dance, Dolu Kunitha, is performed to worship Biralingeshwara, a form of Shiva.
The film also made headlines for the tribal tradition of Bhoot Kola and Shetty’s subsequent statements. Bhoot Kola is a ritual performance where local spirits or deities are worshipped. It is believed that the person performing the ritual transforms himself into a god at this time and listens to the grievances of the people and provides answers.
The controversy was initiated by Kannada actor-activist Chetan Kumar, who questioned Shetty’s claim that Bhoot Kola was part of Hindu culture.
Calling for a strong protest from Hindu organisations, Kumar said, “It is wrong to say that Bhoot Kolas are part of Hinduism. Tribals perform rituals and there is no Brahmanism in Bhoot Kolas.”
Talking about the Bhoot Kola or Bhootradhana rituals, Rajappa said that it was part of all the tribal communities of Karnataka in some form or the other.
He said, “Even in our Dolu Kunitha, Biralingeshwara comes into the body of the dholakia. Everyone who dances at that time symbolizes Shiva. We feel proud that a part of our rituals is in a film. Shown,” he said. film success.
Rajappa said with conviction, “The film got the blessings of our deity as it featured Bhoot Kola. There is a god in the film.”
He added that this tradition is not limited to tribal communities only, but is also observed by upper castes, such as the Shettys.
Rajappa said, “He comes from a very upper caste (Janang). He is not a tribal. But Bhoot Kola or Daiva is celebrated by all. But we are glad that he showed a part of our tribal life.”
The Tribal Dance Festival is showcasing more than 1,500 dancers from national and international tribal communities from 10 countries. The festival will conclude on November 3.
Meanwhile, after celebrities, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Appreciated the film. Taking to his social media, he shared a picture with volunteers and well wishers and lauded the film and writer, director and actor, Rishabh Shetty. She further wrote while writing the caption –
“Watched #KantaraMovie in Bengaluru with a team of volunteers & well wishers. Well made @shetty_rishab (Writer/Director/Actor). The film depicts the rich traditions of Tuluvanadu and Karavali.”
Moreover, ‘Kantara’ has received immense love and support from dignitaries from various fields ranging from Anil Kumble, Prabhas, Prashant Neel, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, Superstar. Rajinikanth To the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of India, Anurag Thakur And a few days back Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a spiritual leader, a famous Indian yoga guru also watches a film with his devotees at his ashram in Bengaluru.