Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Aug 2: It is the season of 'Aati Kalanja', a ritualistic dance practiced during the month of Ashada or as per Tulunadu calendar, the month of Aati.
People of Tulunadu believe that the Kalanja, a spirit, blesses the people, especially farmers and their cattle and agricultural work. Tulu month of Aati falls in the rainy season just after the work in agricultural fields comes to end. It is the time for farmers to wait for a good crop and gain a good health as harvesting comes after a couple of months.
Aati Kalanja in traditional makeup and attire, conducts door-to-door visits, performs the traditional dance, gives blessings to protect family and its cattle against diseases, and their crops against pests. Aati Kalanja then collects the offerings made by the family, which usually happens to be in the form of rice, coconuts, turmeric, charcoal etc and leaves for the next house. This is a way found by people to get reassurance from the spirits that the villagers would be protected against hostile nature, the spread of diseases and pests which is a natural phenomenon during the rainy season. Aati Kalanja is also believed to demolish spirits which act under the direction of sorcerers that bring miseries on people.
Normally, people belonging to 'Nalike' community adorn themselves with costumes made of tender coconut fronds. They wear colourful clothes, a long cap made of arecanut spate, and makeup consisting of a number of colourful designs. The Kalanja also carries with him a parasol decorated with leaves and flowers. He dances to the accompaniment of singing of folk songs by members who accompany him, and the beating of a small percussion instrument known as 'Tembare'.
Guru, a member of Nalike community says “20 years ago, many people from our community performed Aati Kalanja. But slowly the practice has stopped as our young generation is not showing much interest in this ritual. Few families of Nalike community living in places like Sullia , Puttur and some parts of Kasargod district still perform Aati Kalanja every year. 20 years ago, Kerala government included the tradition of Aati Kalanja in school text books. But now majority of the people are unaware of this ritual.”
“Aati Kalanja, which was practiced almost in every village of Tulunadu till a few years ago, sadly, is on the wane. Rarely one comes across Aati Kalanja nowadays. In addition to being a ritual, it is a rich art form of Tulunadu. Special skill is required to paint the face of the artiste who acts as Aati Kalanja and also much practice is required to master the dance. At the same time, there is a separate note on which the ‘Tembare’, the drum is played. An effort is needed to conserve this unique folk art form, which is based on popular belief and is closely associated with nature and environment,” says Narayana, an Aati Kalanja artiste.