Bhoot khola

In Context

• The folk art of Bhoota Kola recently depicted in a famous Kannada movie; Kantara has come under controversy.

About

• B?ta K?l?,also referred to as daiva k?l? or n?m?, is an animistic ritual dance performance prevalent among Hindus of Tulu Nadu and parts of Malenadu of Karnataka and Kasargod in northern Kerala, India. 
• The dance is highly stylized and held in honor of the local deities worshiped by the Tulu speaking population. 
• Bhoota k?l? is closely related to Theyyam of neighbouring Malayalam-speaking populations.
• It  is typically an annual ritual performance where local spirits or deities (bh?tas, daivas) are being channelised by ritual specialists from certain scheduled castes such as the Nalike, Pambada, or Parawa communities. 
• B?tas and daivas are not worshiped on a daily basis like mainstream Hindu gods. 
• Their worship is restricted to annual ritual festivals, though daily p?j?s may be conducted for the ritual objects, ornaments, and other paraphernalia of the b?ta. 
• Unlike with the better-known Hindu gods of the pur??ic variety, b?ta worship is congregational.
• This performer is feared and respected in the community and is believed to give answers to people’s problems on behalf of the spirit.
• Bhootada Kola is said to have some influence from Yakshagana, a more popular and widely performed folk dance in coastal Karnataka.
• Some of the Bhootada Kola rituals also involve walking on a bed of hot coal.

Source:TH