Bhoota Kola
About:
- Bhoota kolaalso referred to as daiva kola is a shamanistic ritual dance performance prevalent among the Hindu of Tulu Nadu and parts of Malenadu of Karnataka and Kasargod in northern Kerala, India.
- The dance is highly stylized and performed as part of ‘Bhootaradhana’ or worship of the local deities worshipped by the Tulu speaking population.
- It has influenced Yakshaganafolk theatre.
- Bhoota kola is closely related to Theyyam of North Malabar.
Differences between Bhoota Kola and Theyyam:
- The costumes of the Bhoota Kola are not as strikingly colourful as those of the Theyyam.
Theyyam, Kerala
- The Bhoota Kola performer is bedecked in an attire entirely made of intricately woven palm leaves.
- The elaborate face painting, however, is similar to Theyyam.
- The incantations the performer utters are in Tulu.
- The nema or kola (as the performance is called) usually involves a fierce dance accompanied by drums, music and other rituals.
Syllabus: Prelims
