Soliga dance forms presented at cultural exchange program

Soliga dance forms presented at cultural exchange program

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 15, 2012: The Soliga Pusumamale Kala Sangha presented Soligara Nrithya at Muchur Kana Gurikar House in Chamarajnagar as part the Information Department’s cultural exchange program.

The sangha comprises 21 members and is headed by Basavaraj of Yarakanagadde Podu in Yalandur. Speaking on the occasion about various dance forms and the occasions on which they are performed, Mr. Basavaraj said the members of the Sangha are performing forms such as goru goruka goruka, gowjalakki, and jenu kuruba for 15 years.

 

He said that the artists dance in their village on the occasion of Rotti Habba, which is celebrated in March or April, on a Monday or a Friday. The group has also performed on occasions such as the Vishwa Kannada Sammelana, Mysore Dasara, and various other local and national festivals, he said.

Revealing further interesting details, he said that the Soliga community believes that a Soliga woman called Kusumadevi was married to Lord Biligiriranga Swamy, and in order to celebrate this wedding, they dance before community deities such as Dodasampige, Jadeyappa, Ketappa, and others.

Speaking about marriage rituals within the community, he said that girls choose their mates during this dance performance. If a girl likes any of the male dancers, she can indicate her preference by throwing a stone. If the boy responds favourably, the couple is sent to the forest, where they stay for 8 days. They can then return and get married after the bride pays a sum of Rs. 12.25 to the community. He said that, although the same rituals are followed now, the influence of modernization has replaced the stone with a biscuit or a banana, and instead of going to the forest, the couple goes to a relative’s house.

Shailaja G. K. Bhat, the president of the ZP, inaugurated the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Janardhana Gowda, the chairman of the social justice standing committee, said that the event has helped the audience learn more about the Soliga culture.

Rohini of the Information Department and ZP CEO Dr. K. N. Vijayaprakash were also present on this occasion.