War of words continue over ‘Koraga Vesha’ during Nudisiri procession


Moodbidri/Mangaluru/Mysore: War of words continue over ‘Koraga Vesha’ inclusion in Nudisiri procession

Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network—Moodbidri/Mangaluru/Mysore

Moodbidri/Mangaluru/Mysore, Nov 15: Though the director of Rangayana and noted pro-Dalit singer H Janardhan termed the usage of banned ‘Koraga Vesha’ (impersonation of Koraga community men) in the grand cultural procession of Alva’s ‘Nudisiri’ improper, he said that he would not reconsider his decision of participating and singing in the much publicized cultural extravaganza of Karnataka.

Muneer Katipalla, state president, DYFI, termed the decision of Janardhan to participate in Nudisiri a blatant ideological compromise. Dr P N Udaychandra, registrar of SDM College Ujire, hit out against Nadooja Dr Siddalingaiah and Janardhan saying that they were state funded poet and singer. Both the Left ideologists from Dakshina Kannada condemned the untoward incident of impersonation of Koraga men at Alva’s Nudisiri.

A B Ibrahim, deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, said he has no authentic information about the alleged act. He said that the district administration has already conveyed to the organizers of Alva’s the flaws reported in the media and said this should not have happened in the popular event.

The incident, however, infuriated Shekar L, co-convener, Dakshina Kannada Dalaita Hakkugala Horata Samiti, who condemned the act outright. He told Daijiworld that this was a day was dissapointing for the Dalits. “It is unfortunate that in the presence of Nadooja Dr Siddalingaiah, the banned practice was exhibited.” He added that anyone could slap a complaint against the organizers and impersonators under the prescribed Act.

Popularly known as ‘Jenni’, singer Janardhan termed the incident ‘wrong’. However, it could also be recalled that the decision of Janardhan to sing at Alva’s invited criticism from staunch Left ideologists across the state. “A lot of people throng the venue and this could be a great opportunity to express my views through my songs”, said Jenni. He added that there was no connection to his presence at Alva’s and what occurred during the procession.

Speaking about the usage of ‘Koraga Vesha’, he said that there was an order passed by the district administration and it would be improper to use this in the procession. Moreover, he added that this incident will not stop him from attending Alva’s Nudisiri as he strongly believes in freedom of expression. “Some Left ideologists have problems with Mohan Alva and this is wrong as I condemn enmity between people,” he added.

Jenni added that singing in Moodbidri was an opportunity and it was his duty as an artiste to sing before a huge number of folk lovers. When asked about compromising with the ideology as alleged by Katipalla, he claimed that he had never compromised with Leftist ideology rather horizon of communism could be spread at Alva’s. “I am also participating in the event as I am proud to be part of the event which was presided over by Siddalingaiah”.

Taking a tactful jibe at Katipalla and his critics, he said that suppressing the freedom of expression of a human being does not fit with Communism. In other words, he condemned his detractors for opposing his decision to sing at Nudisiri. “An artiste loves to sing before any crowd irrespective of any ideology and music has no such limits,” he argued.

On the other hand, Katipalla mocked Janardhan and queried why Jenni had once boycotted Nudisiri? He accused the singer of being an expert in interpretation and said that Jenni was covering up his blunders with the valor of his tongue. “He was singing for Dalits in his early days and now he is all set to sing before the ‘Dani’ (boss/capitalist),” alleged Katipalla.

“The duo are state-funded poet and singer. It seems both have reached a saturated level where they began to compromise,” said Dr Udaychandra.

He said that he suspects Siddalingaiah is aiming for the Jnanapeeth Award and sees such cultural fests as a good platform to meet stakeholders to lobby for the same.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Prajwal, Ullal

    Mon, Nov 17 2014

    Kaamale kannige ellavu haladiye.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • sid, mangalore

    Sun, Nov 16 2014

    black is beautiful . i don't see any harm in showcasing culture . in Australia Whenever they want to show case their aboriginal past they dress up like a aboriginal tribe . In india black is bad rest of the world black is beautiful . So we need to change our mindset first

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mms, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    since many years backward people have been displayed in black colour either in fancy dress or in tab-low during procession, why? naturally majority of them are not like that but why such differentiate? Mr.Prime Minister, wants to clean at every city in India, however why not he wants to clean in human mind from full of communalism, casteism, upperism-lowerism etc.?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Noor Ashfaq, Karkala/Sharjah

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    Class, culture, caste, black, white and the list continues for dividing and ruling our Bharath Mahaan. We have all these divisions based on these variables only to net political mileage and play these cards for accomplishing vested whims….

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • yogesh, bombay

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    Had a laugh when i saw the pics. There was no need of "tar"ring those performers.Ridiculous and uncalled for! They are anyway dark they should have come with wooden "koragara dholu" with aluminium bangle on one leg. They are a part of the community...so Live and let live!

    DisAgree [31] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    There is nothing to laugh. This is how koraga vesha was performed from centuries.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shridhar, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    Just because we were insulting the community for a long time, you can not expect it to continue forever...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • BABA, BANGALORE

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    The depiction of the Koraga in your pictures does not do justice to the community. As a child I lived quite close to a Koraga settlement in Udupi. The Koraga men that I knew were muscular and handsome and of a complexion far lighter than that shown in your pictures. The women from the community were elegant and beautiful. Physical characteristics apart, I do not see any reason why the Alvas of Moodabidri who have an excellent reputation generally, should elect to have this kind of an item in an otherwise elegant show. I hope this will not be repeated in future.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • SAMANYA JANA, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    I do not understand the wisdom of these intellectuals and Mr.Katipalla. A procession to mark the opening of a literary and cultural fest, depicting an age old custom of our region, which may or may not be in practice today, is just a potrayal of our history. It does not mean that organisers or participants are either supporting it or practicing it. If someone want to settle their individual issues, is a different matter and media should not support such act. Just want to know, how much these so called individual intellects are law abiding. DYFI, with Left ideology, is not a very significant force in Karnataka. I know that a lot of students studying in Alvas, hailing from Kerala are DYFI members but sadly, because of campus politics, move out of the state for better prospects. Luckily, for Mangaloreans, we do not subscribe to these leftist ideas and politicising anything and everything.
    witness the biggest literary and cultural event, enjoy it and let the politics be played by narrow minded people.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suleman Beary, Udupi

    Sat, Nov 15 2014

    Every sect in a community is identified with a name. Hence "Koraga" is an identity similar to Beary, Shetty, Saheb, Achari, Bhat, Parbu etc.
    However the purpose of such identity used in circumstances are questionable and even some time punishable.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: War of words continue over ‘Koraga Vesha’ during Nudisiri procession



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