* Daivaraadhane*

Hi Friends , This is blog about the customs of Bhuta kola. When i was small in my grany's  house i saw the first nema it was scary , because it was different  celebration, they will put different colours on their face and sound of Band (Thase) and everyone giving respect to them these all made me scary. But later i enjoy this celebration. Bhuta Kola is a very ancient custom dance form, which literally translates to “Bhuta” meaning spirit, “Kola” meaning worship.The Tulu community occupy a small territory which is also popularly known as Tulu Nadu, it includes Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and the Kasaragod districts of Kerala. The Bhuta worship includes devotion, inspiration and entertainment.

Season of Bhuta Kola : Also called Dharma Nema, Bhuta Kola is performed anytime from Deepavali day ( October) till Pattanaje  (around the 25th of May). Bhuta  is also called Daiva and the worship of Bhuta is known as Bhutaraadhane or Daivaraadhane. Bhuta, when worshipped by a group of families spread over various villages and towns, is called Kutumba Daiva. A shrine or a temple is built for the Daiva by the family. It is called a Bhuta Sthaana or Bhuta Gudi. 

Preparations : Early in the evening,‘Bhandara’, flag hoisting, an informal invitation,  Bhandaara of Bhuta consists of metal masks (moga) ,Gaggara, Katsale(sword ), Chaamara and bells.Bhandaara  of Bhuta is taken out of the shrine and kept at the ritual site, which is decorated with flowers and plantain leaves. In case the Bhuta is a Kutumba Daiva Bhandaara would be taken out of the room in Taravadu House(First Home) where the paraphernalia of the Bhuta would have been kept. The ritual site contains an altar and it is an enclosure formed by coconut palm leaves and tender banana plants. Bhandaara of Bhuta consists of metal masks, sword, trident, Chaamara(hand-held fan) and bells. Some people are involved in the making of Tiri (skirt made of tender palm leaves) and Ani, a semi-circular structure containing silver arch, bamboo sticks and cloth. Ani is decorated with flowers and is tied to the back of the performer of Kola.

Yenne Boolya : Kola performer is given a formal invitation from the organizers to perform the Kolaby giving Yenne Boolya. Yenne Boolya consists of coconut oil, beetel nut and beetel leaves. The Kolaperformer is given a ceremonial oil bath after Yenne Boolya to purify his body and to keep calm.After the oil bath, the performer hypnotizes himself by performing theatrics assisted by loud music, which is typical of Bhuta Kola.

Make-up, Costumes and the Performance : Firstly, the performers put on the make-up with their faces painted predominantly in yellow. Eyebrows are painted in black. Forehead is marked with designs in black and red colour. Wearing gaggara(anklets), the performers dance to the loud music. Thase (Drums) and Vadya  are used to create an enthralling performance with music. After a while, the performers put on Tiri (skirt made of tender palm leaves) and continue the dance. Then the people garland the performers. Garlands are torn off by the performers during the furious display of emotions while performing Bhuta Kunita(dance of the holy spirit). Performers are then escorted by two persons holding fire torches to make pradakshinas around the shrine. After that, the  performer is tied the Ani onto his back and a wooden structure with skirt like costume made of colourful clothes is tied around his waist.

the performers sing ,Pardana or Sandhi (ballad), beating drums facing the ritual site. ,Pardanais a shorter version of the song and Sandhi is the longer one. ,Pardana or Sandhi narrate the origin of the Bhuta, its heroic deeds and other main events from its life in Tulu. Since there is not much written literature available in Tulu language,Pardana’s are an important aspect of Tulu culture in general and Bhuta Kola in particular, as they are the only source of information on tradition and rituals. 

Nudi, Blessings and Closing ceremony : Once the bhuta dance is over, the invoker gets into dialogue with the chieftain of the village or town. He may ask why the Holy Spirit is invoked. The lines spoken by the invoker now is called Nudi. During the Nudi, the invoker may ask to do certain queestions the well-being of all the families or may guide the family members on resolving their disputes. Also, people come with their problems to the Daiva seeking solutions. The invoker confidently assures them of the remedies. In turn, Daiva may expect the seeker to do some seva or donation to the shrine. Like in one case, the invoker asked the seeker to make silver coating for the sword of Jumadi, once his problem gets resolved. People then come to seek the blessings of the Daiva. Invoker bestows the Daiva’s blessings on the devotees by saying soothing words and giving them gandha prasadam. After the blessings, the invoker is escorted to the shrine and is seated opposite to the entrance of the shrine. Family members then offer a glass of milk and a banana to the invoker. After this ritual, bhuta kola is concluded. By now, it is early morning. Devotees see the ray of hope for their problems as the rays of the sun illuminate the land they stand on.