Bitten by theatre bug

M

udradi, at the foothills of Western Ghats in Udupi district, is drawing attention of the theatre buffs from far and wide in recent years.  Thanks to the activities of Nama Tuluver Kala (Natka) Sanghatane, this otherwise non-descript remote village has emerged a prominent spot on the theatre map of Karnataka.  Not confining itself to Tulu, as the name connotes, it has brought on stage several acclaimed Kannada plays.

     Way back in 1985, Dharmayogi Mohan, a culture enthusiast, founded Nilayada Kalavidaru, a forum for cultural activities at Mudradi.  It was mostly Yakshagana in those days. On the occasion of its decennial year, Nilayada Kalavidaru was rechristened as Nama Tuluver Kala Sanghatane, Natka.  The organization that made a humble beginning has grown leaps and bounds in these 33 years of its existence. 

     Initially there used to be a single drama in a year.  Later a nine-day theatre festival Navarangotsava was started during Navaratri at the abode of Goddess Adishakti founded and managed by Dharmayogi Mohan.  On the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, Nama Tuluver created a record of sorts by staging 24 plays in 20 days.

     Mudradi Rashtreeya Rangotsava is an annual event since its silver jubilee.  The week-long national-level theatre festival has featured dramas in languages like Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Konkani besides Kannada and Tulu.  Many theatre veterans from across the country are recognized and honoured with awards on the occasion.

     The amateur troupe has taken its plays to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Dubai and many other places and brought plays from various parts of the country to Mudradi as well. It has staged around 40 dramas in around 1,500 shows so far. Besides many dramas being staged hundreds of times, the Tulu play Pilipatti Gadas alone has been staged 390 times. The prizes won at various drama completions by Natka touch the mark of 200.  Sukumar Mohan, who heads Natka, has been honoured with CGK Award and Suvarna Ranga Samman.

     The team is ecstatic about its feat at the recently concluded Kuvempu Memorial Drama Competition in Mumbai. It presented Dashanana Swapnasiddhi, a theatre adaptation of the last part of Kuvempu’s Jnanpith Award winning work Sri Ramayana Darshanam. The drama, directed by Manjunatha L. Badiger, won the second place and the outstanding efforts fetched it prizes for direction, acting both male and child categories, music, costume and lighting. 

     The speciality of the troupe is that the entire Mohan family is into the field of drama. Dharmayogi Mohan’s four children Sukumar Mohan, Sugandhi Kalmady, Surendra Mohan and Sudhindra Mohan and their respective spouses Vani Sukumar, Umesh Kalmady, Pavithra Surendra and Poornima Sudhindra have embraced theatre and turned out excellent performers. Now even the third generation, the little Swastik and Swarnika, is taking baby steps into the world of theatre. Theatre is the mainstay and the common thread that binds the family.

Though none have any academic training in the field, they grew from drama to drama under the watchful eyes of the directors like Shreepada Bhat, Prasanna Heggodu, Krishnamurthy Kavatthar, Bhasuma Kodagu, Jeevanaram Sullia, Pramod Shiggaon Udyavara Nagesh Kumar, C Basavalingayya, Sheena Nadoli, Gururaj Marpalli, Manjunath L Badiger, Dakshayini Bhat and Mallikarjuna Mahamane The interest of the Mohan family has rubbed off on the youngsters of the neighbourhood. They too are part of the troupe now that comprises around 18 members. In fact, Nama Tuluver has brought out the theatre culture in this part.

     Sukumar Mohan, also a former member of the Karnataka Nataka Academy, admits the activities are not self-sustaining. “The occasional funds from government or otherwise are not sufficient for the scale of events that we organize”, says Sukumar.  But nothing comes in the way of their passion. As the activities grew, Natka felt the need to have an auditorium. Hence came up an open-air auditorium Chowtara Bayalu at Mudradi at a cost of around Rs. 60 lakh.

     Natka organizes training programmes for students and theatre workshops. Many activities related to drama are held at frequent intervals. It has acted in many street plays bringing awareness on social issues. Natka has also conducted CGK drama competition and a children’s drama festival. Sukumar has plans to tour various places with two dramas every year.  

     Well-known artistes such as Hamsalekha, H S Shivaprakash, B Jayashree, Yenagi Balappa, Master Hirannayya, Nagendra Shah and Mukhyamantri Chandru who have been invited on various occasions have appreciated the dedicated theatre activities at the far-flung Mudradi. The theatre activities of Natka are so intense that Mudradi Grama Panchayat has named the area Natkadur. Perhaps a rare affirmation and recognition to a theatre group anywhere else.

-                                                                                                                                                    - Sanoor Indira Acharya

Koti Chennaya Theme Park - A New Landmark

K

oti Chennaya Theme Park, in Karkala, a folk museum dedicated to the legendary heroes of the bygone age Koti and Chennaya is drawing curious visitors from far and wide. The ambience, with well laid out landscape, traditional architecture and a museum, transports one back to five centuries.

     Twin brothers Koti and Chennaya are believed to have lived in the later part of the 16th century. The legendary twin heroes were born to Deyi Baidethi of Billava community in Tulunadu.  They lost their mother soon after their birth. Hence they spent their early years under the care of Perumala Ballala, a local ruler, as a token of gratitude towards their mother for treating his grievous injury. The brothers grew up to be valiant handsome heroes. But the coterie around the king considered them a threat and succeeded in eliminating them.  This antipathy continued wherever they sought shelter, though the rulers loved them.

  

     The common people held them in high esteem for their bravery and fight against social injustice. The oppressed found a savior in them. The brothers met a tragic end due to a treacherous act in a combat near Yenmur in Sullia taluk.  Though their history is made known through the pad-danas, remnants of their existence are still found authenticating the oral tradition of pad-dana. 

     Post their tragic end at a heroic battle they were elevated to divinity.  To this day Koti and Chennaya are being worshipped in shrines called garodis that dot the Tuluva landscape.  

     In Karkala, away from the land where they had born and spent their days (Puttur and Sullia), an attempt has been made to document the heroic life of Koti-Chennaya in a historic perspective. The Park came up in 2012 with a grant of Rs 1.78 crore from the State government.

     Once the visitors step inside the compound passing through a traditional entrance, a vast garden unfolds before them.    The tall compound walls too draw attention. Murals on the inside of the walls on either side of the entrance portray the Tuluva culture and the lifestyle in olden days. 

     The gigantic Anebagilu (elephantine main entrance) opens into a chavadi (drawing room of old traditional houses).  At the chavadi the “guests” are left to be awed by the tall colourful wooden statues designed on the lines of urus of Mekekattu, a place in Udupi district. The chavadi has a conference room on both sides.

     Imposing statues of Koti-Chennaya greet the visitor from a distance at the open air. The 10-foot statues are erected on a pedestal of two feet.    Every nuance of the twin heroes’ disposition was taken into account while carving the statues.  Though the statues appear identical, the difference is remarkable.

     A museum resembling a garodi in construction style tells the tale of Koti- Chennaya. Paintings in Surpur style, a centuries old art, portraying significant events in the life of Koti and Chennaya are aesthetically placed on the walls. The 36 paintings of 6x4 sq.ft. size signify 36 years of their existence.  Explanatory notes are given below each painting.  Surendra, an ever-enthusiastic curator, narrates the events in the typical paddhana (folklore rendition) style. His passion lends further charm to the ambience.

 

     Many articles which were in use those days and antiquated in later years find a place in the museum. Wooden water lifter, wooden water container, wooden boxes, ploughs, noodle maker, different kinds of swords, cradles, metal artefacts, chennemane and many more metal and wooden items including those used in bhoota worship are on display. Those items indeed provide a glimpse of the life then. Some of the rare photos of the places Koti-Chennaya are said to have frequented too are kept in the museum.

     Cleanliness is godliness.  Though the Theme Park is just a historical documentation, its cleanliness and maintenance, lend a divine charm to it.   But it is underutilized nonetheless. The vast outdoor expanse can provide a serene platform for the cultural programmes.

 

     The Theme Park is open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on all days including national holidays. The Department of Kannada and Culture manages the Theme Park spread across about six acres of land. The construction and ambience of Koti Chennaya Theme Park, located away from the hustle-bustle of the town, do not belie the time of the legendary twins.

  

  

    

Sri Dharmarasu Kodamanittaya Daivasthana, Kervashe

K

ervashe, a hamlet in Karkala taluk, known for its temples and shrines, is nestled amidst verdant landscape. Thanks to water on all sides, the village reminds one of an island.

Rule of the Bhairavas

     Besides, Kervashe is one of the places of historical significance.  The Bhairava King Sooda who ruled Karkala in the bygone era had made the place his capital. The relics available stand testimony to the fact even today.

Nemotsava

     During king’s rule, Kervashe was the centre of the Hobali. In those days, nemotsavas were held with grandeur in the vast field in front of the palace after bhandaras were brought from maaganes.  In due course, shrines were built for Sri Dharmarasu Kodamanittaya, Kukkinantaya, Brahmabaidarkala, Mayandale and other parivara daivas at the heart of the village. Now the Nemotsava is held with the coming together of the chiefs of guttu-barkes and villagers while Bhandara arrives from Padangaadi guttu.

     Ardent prayers of devotees have not gone unanswered here.  Such is the significance of the daivas that both natives of the village and outsiders too offer prayers. The annual festival widely known as Kervashe Hobali Ayana is drawing thousands of devotees.  Special poojas are offered on every Tuesday.

Renovation

     The garadi complex got a massive facelift a couple of years ago. New shrines are built for all the main and subsidiary daivas.

Sri Sooryanarayana Matha - Shrine dedicated to Sun God

S

ri Sooryanarayana Matha is situated in Karkala at the beginning of Tellar Road.  The little shrine is on the right of the well-known Sri Ananthashayana Temple.

     It is one of the very few shrines dedicated to Sun God. The idol of Lord Sooryanarayana is carved in black granite. It’s about two feet tall. The sanctum sanctorum itself is made of stone, hence called Kallamatha.

      Sooryanarayana Matha is believed to be 900 years old. A stone inscription seen in front of the matha, though hasn't been deciphered so far, proves the fact that the temple belongs to a distant past.

       Regular poojas are offered to the deity.  Karthika deepotsava is held every year on the new moon day of Karthika month.

Shivathikere Sri Umamaheshwara Temple – Glory regained

S

hivathikere Sri Umamaheshwara Temple is located at Hiriyangadi in Karkala. It is just 50m off the recently laid Bypass Road.

     A small dilapidated shrine and a large tank with well-laid steps were all that existed when it was little known some 25 years ago.  The temple site was hidden in the thick vegetation surrounding it.

Abandoned shrine

Past perfect

     The ruins and the tank provided ample evidence to the glorious past of the temple.  Historians infer that the shrine had been constructed around the tenth century.  The history dates back to the days of Keladi kings.  As the downslide of the Keladi clan began, so was the glory of the temple, reducing it to mere relics over the centuries.

Thanks to the road, devotees made inroad

     Proximity to the newly laid road is, in fact, a turning point in the course of the temple.   The thick vegetation and fear of snakes had made the site impregnable. Now people started trickling in.    The number of devotees started increasing.   Poojas too were resumed to the Shivalingam that might not have had any such rituals for centuries.   Prayers were offered. Bhajans were performed.  The derelict shrine became the centre of many religious activities.

Redevelopment of the temple

      Gradually the temple was developed with donations from the public. The lingam was reinstalled with Ashtabandha brahmakalashabhisheka in 2003. In later years Parivara deities Sri Balamuri Mahaganapati and Sri Durga Devi were installed at the inner precincts of the temple. 

     The sanctum sanctorum, teerthamantapa and pauli are made of stone.  These structures amalgamate with the rich heritage of Karkala known for its rock monuments. Dhwajastambha (flag post), navagraha deities were installed in due course.  A shrine for daivas too is constructed recently. Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava was again held in January 2017.

Goddess Sri Durga Parameshwari

Balamuri Mahaganapati

Navagraha shrine

Annual festival

     The five-day annual festival is held starting with dhwajarohana.  The festival culminates on the day of Shivaratri.  Many other special occasions are celebrated at the temple.

A land mark

     Shivathikere Sri Umamaheshwara Temple, today, is so developed that it bears little resemblance to the site prior two decades. Eminent astrologers were consulted while renovating the temple. Only the beautiful tank and the shivalingam are the same. 

     Shivathikere is so called because of the shrine of Lord Shiva and the tank. The green patches on two sides of the pond lend serenity to the divine atmosphere.

                          

Nandalike – A hamlet with distinct identity

N

andalike, a tiny hamlet, 15 kilometres from Karkala is not unfamiliar to two kinds of people. For those interested in literature, Nandalike is the birth place of the legendary litterateur Nandalike Laxminarayanayya, popularly known by his pen name ‘Muddana’. For the pious class it is the abode of Abbaga-Daraga and Kumara on the premises of historic Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. 

     The name Nandalike is said to have come from the king Nanda, who ruled this land centuries ago. The spirits Abbaga-Daraga and Kumara chose Nandalike as their permanent abode much before the temple was constructed.

Consecrated by Saint Vadiraja

    Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple which has a history of 700 years is situated amidst the lush green fields in scenic surroundings. The streams flowing on either side of the temple and a beautiful pond, add to the beauty of the temple. 

     Legend has it that once Sri Vadiraja Swamiji of Sode Math, during his sojourn at Nandalike, refused to accept bhiksha (alms) on the grounds that the village lacked a temple. The incident greatly worried Hoovayya Heggade of Chavadi House, who was an ardent devotee of Brahma, Kumara, Abbaga-Daraga, Bhootaraja and Veerabhadra Swami.  That very night the twin sisters Abbaga and Daraga appeared in his dream and directed him to install a panchaloha idol of Lord Mahalingeshwara worshipped by sage Bhargava at Pilarkana, an adjacent village. It was to be installed at the Jina Temple in the village as an ad-hoc arrangement to be replaced later by a proper linga. The spirits also prescribed the rituals to be carried out in the temple. Hoovayya Heggade followed the instructions and found the idol at a priest’s house the next morning.

     Sri Vadiraja Swamiji installed the idol with pomp and gaiety. It was only recently that the linga of Lord Mahalingeshwara was installed.

Annual festival

     The nine-day annual festival of the temple known popularly as Nandalike aayana or sirijaatre falls either in the month of March or April. Since other subsidiary deities like Sri Brahma, Veerabhadra Swamy, Abbaga-Daraga and Annappa Swamy have also been installed on the temple premises, the temple attains uniqueness with Dhakkebali, Annappa Swamy darshana and Sri Brahmadarshana. Women go into mass trance of Abbaga-Daraga.

     Raashi pooja is held annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Abbaga-Daraga. The temple accepts offerings for the deities of Dharmasthala but it cannot be done the other way.

     A Naga idol here is said to be the origin of the colourful illustration of the Nagamandala, a popular way of propitiating Naga, the serpent god of Tulunadu.

Chavadi Mane (house)

      The 800-year-old Chavadi Mane, situated about half a kilometre from the temple in the west, is the residence of the Heggades, the hereditary trustees of the temple. The palatial house with a vast courtyard (chavadi), royal seat and sword are reminders of the prosperity and the power wielded by the Heggades in the past. The swing on which Abbaga-Daraga used to play is still there. The wooden carvings on the ceilings of chavadi are exquisite and offer proofs for the dexterity and fabulous craftsmanship of the artisans of yesteryears. By pulling a single peg, navadwaras (nine doors) could be opened or closed. The chavadi, which was in a dilapidated state until 1992, has been renovated. It was featured in an award winning documentary made by Philadelphia University several years ago.

The Legend

     Siri, Satyada Kumari, had a son Kumara out of her first marriage and she had made him vanish. Siri herself vanished after delivering a female child born to Kodsaralva of Kotradi out of her second marriage. Before disappearing she had directed that the child should be entrusted to the care of Chandu Pergade of Kanabettu. The child was named Sonne.

Sonne gets company

     One day, Chandravati, a pregnant woman of a well-off Brahmin family in Belman, sent her servant to fetch leaves to prepare rice pudding.  The servant, however, was not allowed to pluck the leaves of the tree by the two tigers guarding it.  They demanded that the child born to Chandravati be handed over to them, if she really wanted the leaves of the tree.  Not able to resist her temptation to eat the pudding, Chandravati promised that she would hand over the yet-to-be-born baby to the tigers. But she failed to keep up the promise after the birth of a baby girl, who was named Gindi.

     One fine day, three-year-old Gindi disappeared from her house. The servants of Chandu Pergade found her in the forest guarded by two tigers. When Chandu Pergade pleaded with the tigers that he be allowed to take care of the child, the beasts moved away.

Sonne delivers Abbaga-Daraga

     Sonne who was already in the custody of Chandu Pergade and Gindi were brought up together. Sonne was married off to Guru Marla of Kedinje Parari at the age of 12. Sonne was not invited for the pubertal function of Gindi as she had not attained puberty even after several years of marriage. Women of the village threatened to walk off if Sonne participated in the ritual.  When Sonne did attend the function uninvited, she had to face the wrath of other women and became a butt of ridicule.  A humiliated Sonne, got Gindi vanished. After coming back to her husband’s house, she vowed to Brahma of several services, if she reached puberty and bore children. Later though Sonne delivered twin daughters Abbaga-Daraga, she completely forgot her promise to Brahma.

    The parents decided the marriage of their daughters with Rama-Lakshmana, twin sons of Chandrama Shetty of Karkala. Brahma, disguised as a Brahmin, reminded the parents of their promise when they were on their way to invite guests for the wedding. Even then they did not take the warning seriously.

Game turns fatal

     Brahma in disguise, at the Urkidottu house, persuaded the twin sisters to play Chenne Mane (A game played on a wooden plank with fourteen depressions).  The older sister Abbaga suffered repeated defeats in the game at the hands of Daraga. Angered by the humiliation, Abbaga hit Daraga on her head with the Chenne Mane and Daraga succumbed to the injuries. A panicky Abbaga pushed the body of Daraga into a nearby well and she too, jumped into it. Having achieved his motive, the Brahmin disappeared.

Twin sisters turn divine spirits

    During the funeral, people saw two butterflies flying off the funeral pyre of the two girls. After their death, the spirits of Abbaga - Daraga moved to a palace at Bola where the queen was having her auspicious kalasha bath. The spirits made her vanish, had the bath themselves and made Nandalike their home with Kumara and Siri.  The spirits, it appears, then moved to Kavathar, Hiriyadka and other places later. 

Sundara Puranik Memorial Govt School - Stands apart among the lot

S

undara Puranik Memorial Government High School, well-known as Pervaje School,   is one of the highly regarded institutions in Karkala. The fact that no private school in the vicinity finds such a student rush for admission, is indeed a tell-tale evidence to its popularity. Parents vie to get admission for their children in the school, albeit not all succeeding.

     A chance visit to the school on a rainy day recently was a kind of reality check.  The tidiness and the discipline strike you the most when you enter the premises. Students were amidst having milk as per the government scheme.  There was no rush or clamour of any kind.

Education is all round development

     The school imparts education both in Kannada and English mediums. It has a well-equipped science laboratory besides a fully functional computer laboratory unlike other government schools. A computer instructor has been appointed on an honorary basis. As all students of a class cannot be accommodated at the computer lab at a time, they are taken on rotation. There is a small library for other students at the class itself when others go for computer practicals!

     The school library has a good collection of books. Students are advised to write reviews of the books they read.  Reviews are compiled and the best fetches a prize too!  Selected poems written by students on different occasions are brought out as Prakrti Vaibhava. Gomathi is the monthly magazine. The annual school magazine winning an award every year is a matter of pride for the school.

     The mid-day meal kitchen equipped with a mixer and a grinder is maintained clean. The food is cooked through steam. The plates and the tumblers are arranged neatly in shelves.

   

     The school has a hall, though it is not sufficient to accommodate all students at a time. The open air auditorium is large enough to host special occasions. An indoor stadium is another much needed facility in the school.   The students have the facility of a covered parking area for their bicycles.

     Washrooms are kept clean, a stark contrast to the stinking and ill-maintained toilets of a private school which I had visited a few days earlier.

Add-on facilities

     The tenth standard students get extra coaching online. The school takes interest in training students in extra-curricular activities like yakshagana, karate, theatre etc.  With such facilities and guidance, no wonder that the students have brought laurels to the school.

     The school makes use of all the facilities provided by the government, besides augmenting them with private contributions.

Dedicated teachers

     “Just because this is a government school, our students should not be deprived of any facilities available at private schools, “ says  K Harshini,  the Headmistress. This, in fact, sums up her commitment to see to it that students are no less to any student at other private schools when they pass out.  Equally dedicated is the whole band of enthusiastic teachers.

     As I left the premises, not only convinced I was, my opinion about the school was a notch high.