Women folk artistes dance their way into a male bastion

As many as 600 women artistes will present all major folk forms of the State for three days starting Tuesday. What makes the event special is that many of them are forms traditionally performed only by men.

Marali Janapadakke (back to folklore) on the premises of Ravindra Kalakshetra on Tuesday will have women performing not only Sobane (sung during auspicious occasions like weddings), but also performing Veeragaase and Karadi Majalu rarely performed by women.

According to Pichalli Srinivas, chairperson, Karnataka Janapada Academy, it is an attempt to attract young women to the rich folk art traditions, some of which are on the verge of extinction. All performers are trained by the academy and this will also empower women economically, he said, considering the demand for folk artistes in even events like IPL.

He said that ₹ 1.30 crore has been spent on this project. Folk experts, including Padma Shri award recipient Sukri Bomma Gowda have trained them. Workshops were conducted in five revenue divisions. “All artists will be given folk instruments and costumes to help them perform on their own in future,” Mr. Pichalli said.

“Young girls are now beating Tasharam Dolu , a drum women traditionally were not allowed to touch,” said Mr. Pichalli. Other forms to be displayed include Puravantike, Halakki Suggi, Veeramakkala Kunita, Koragara Dolu, Mulluhejje Kunita, Nandi Dhwaja Kunita, and others.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the three-day programme of the academy to re-invent dying folk art forms on the premises of Ravindra Kalakshetra on Tuesday. Apart from performances, experts in nine traditional folk arts will make a presentation on the richness of various traditions, including Manteswamy, Male Madeshwara, Mylaralinga, Biligiriranga, Halakki and so on.

Transgenders too perform

In what can be described as first attempt of the kind, transgenders have also been trained in folk forms. Over 40 selected transgender artistes in four groups have undergone rigorous training in Goravara Kunita, Veeragaase, and Dollu Kunita . “We hope that this will help the community earn through folk arts,” said Pichalli Srinivas, chairperson, Karnataka Janapada Academy.