Siddavesa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siddavesa is a type of religious and traditional folk dance. The Arebhahse people of Sullia perform this dance during the full moon in the month of Suggi on the Tulu calendar. During this month, Suggi Nalike is also performed.[1] Siddavesha performances take place from late evening until morning, with the dancers visiting the homes of people from all social strata.
The Siddavesa is influenced by the Natha Pantha. It involves an all-night performance that includes mythological mimicry, acting, singing, and dancing.[2] Participants in the Siddavesha embody different characters, interacting with each other and the public throughout various stages of the enactment. The three main mythical farce characters in Siddavesha are Sanyasi, Bhatru, and Dasayye.[3]
Dress and costume
Several different characters are portrayed in the Siddavesa performance, including Dasayya, Bhatru, Sansyasi, Koraga, Koti Chennaya, Beetle Purbu, Byari, and Piliyesa, among others.
Dasayya appears in a white dhoti and red shawl, holding a conch and drum. His head is covered by a Mundasu, and a long nama is marked on his forehead.
Bhatru, the village priest, wears a sacred thread (janivara) with a large knot, a white dhoti, and smears his body with sandalwood paste, applying sandal paste and kunkum to his forehead.
Sanyasi, the central figure in this mythical dance, wears an unusual outfit made of dried camouflage leaves. He carries a large, symbolic phallus made of 4-5 wooden sticks tied together, protruding from his waist.[4]
Koraga covers his entire body with dark paint.
Byari wears a white banyan, a multicolored checked dhoti tied slightly above the waist to avoid touching the ground, and a traditional hat (toppi).[5]