Karnataka, situated in South India, is a serene and pleasant State, having historical background and rich heritage. The State is in the forefront as far as educational fields and industrial and commercial activities are concerned. It is also rich in forest growth and wildlife. Shimoga, in the south interior of Karnataka, is one of the most beautiful and wealthy districts, with evergreen forests, hills and rivers, minerals and crops. People here love peace, live in harmony and are known to preserve the traditional values.DOLLU KUNITHAHundreds of folk art services are active in Karnataka, but none is at par with Dollu Kunitha – a folk drum-dance – which is vibrant and muscular in nature. This folk dance is prevalent in some districts of Karnataka, and to mention, the districts of Chitradurga, Bellary, Bijapur, Belgaum and Shimoga. This folk art is practised more by backward classes, like, "Kuruba", etc., It presents the incarnation of god "Beeradevaru" – their providence and progenitor. This folk dance is performed in both religious and auspicious ceremonies. Of late, this art has even penetrated into the social and political canopies also. No such function goes without a beat of dollu.This Dollu Kunitha, originated from the taluks of Sagar, Sorab and Shikaripur, etc., in the district of Shimoga, differ largely in variety and presentation of art as well as costumes of artists. The artists, particularly, from sagar taluk have taken this art of exciting performance to the length and breadth of Russia, covering 8 major cities, in about 3 months. The Department of Kannada & Culture of the Government of Karnataka, the South Zone Cultural Centre and the South Central Cultural Centre have been the patrons of this folk dance.The mythology The Myth behind the Dollu Kunitha is that a demon named "Dollasura", says the mythology, invited lord Shiva by severe penance, and the lord appeared and asked him to plead for his wish. Dollasura requested Shiva to make his abode in his belly, which Shiva agreed to. Being scared by this willful act and evil design of the demon, the deities sought protection of lord Vishnu, who, accompanied by lord Ganapa, performed a dance – a perpetual performance of lightning sound by which Shiva woke up and came out of the demon’s belly, bursting it asunder. This drum is said to be a container of the remnants of Dollasura in the form of a cylinder, representing a demonic body.The instrumentThe instrument (drum), is cylindrical in shape, made of wood, with the right side covered with tense ram-leather flap, and left side covered with tense Gob-leather flap, and also tightly stringed. The normal diameter of cones ranges from 20” to 24”. The skinned left cone gets a rhythmic palm beat while the right one gets a beat from a wooden baton of 11¼” length. The palm touch and baton beat totally produce a cosmic sound – most enchanting and entertaining.The artistesThe artist fastens colourful cloth, preferably, yellow, around his head, black woolen on his waist, attractive cloth partially covering his chest, and woolen linings on his wrist, mid-arm and ankle’ while his neck is covered with necklace of beads and cowries, and ankle is tied with ankle-chain. His forehead, hands and legs are applied with ashes. Normally a team consists of 10 to 20 artists, but some times, the troupe may swell by increasing the number even upto 1000, depending upon the necessity and demand.
