Mysore :

Folk art troupe Goravara Kunitha, with men wearing headgear made of bear-hair, will be a special attraction in the Dasara Jumboo Savari procession with a 95-year-old man Puttamallegowda (see pic) leading the troupe.

He hails from Chamarajanagar district’s Ramasamudra village. Despite his advanced age, Puttamallegowda is very agile and dances like a teenager. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the Raitha Dasara (farmers’ Dasara) procession recently.

Speaking to SOM, Puttamallegowda said that he has been into the art since the age of 18 and has taught several youngsters. He said that he won the Karnataka Rajyotsava award when S. Bangarappa was the Chief Minister. He has been participating in Dasara procession since the past 30 years.

The term Gorava refers to people belonging to the Kuruba Gowda community who have taken a special vow and dress in the traditional overcoat and headgear, and beat a damroo shouting “Elukoti.. Elukoti…” (Seven crores) – the number of Goravas Mailara, armed with bows and arrows, took to battle against a demon, Mallasura and his brother. They also dance in ritualistic warrior like dance called the “Goravara Kunitha” with a small “dollu” in one hand and a flute in the other hand. It is a custom in most villages of Karnataka to bring young children in front of the Goravas to get their blessings and to allay the fears of children.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday, October 01st, 2014