Two Nights with the Spirits : Bhuta Nrtya in Kondla by Neria Harish Hebbar, MD

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Art & Culture
Two Nights with the Spirits
Bhuta Nrtya in Kondla
by Neria Harish Hebbar, MD

The Beginning

During my recent visit to India, I had the unique opportunity to attend the yearly celebration of the Spirit Dance (bhuta kola) in Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka State. This dance is a performance by spirit-forms (bhutas) that have attained demigod status in the eyes of villagers. The ancient tradition as practiced for many centuries is very prevalent in coastal Karnataka and Kerala (the region called Parashurama Sristi - the part of sea reclaimed by Lord Parashurama).

The yearly celebrations are held on the premises of the gudi or sthana (abode), where usually an idol of Durga is kept. The gudi is the sanctum sanctorum for the bhutas.

Inside the Sanctum Sanctorum

On the upper story of the gudi is a statue of the main spirit, Hallathayi. It is a life-sized stone idol sculpted in the appearance of a fully adorned Hallathayi. No one knows how old it is. There is barely enough space for the statue to stand in total darkness, and the entrance is a narrow treacherous staircase. I went up to shoot a picture of this imposing statue, but the feeling was eerie. I did not spend much time up there.

Life-sized statue of Hallathayi

– Continued

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