Mangalore: 'Pili Vesha'- High-Flying Dance Form of Tulunadu
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Sep 20: As the festival season begins in Karnataka, the streets of Mangalore are seen with the tiger dance performers which is unique to only southern India.
Each of the districts have a different style of painting done on the body. The body paintings are resemble the skin of a leopard, tiger or cheetah.
Tiger dance, locally known as the ‘Pili Vesha’ is a unique form of folk dance especially in Dakshina Kannada that fascinates everyone regardless of their age.
The significance of the tiger is being the carrier of Godess Sharada. Some of the dancers perform breathtaking somersault flips. Young men including some of the children form the troupe of the tiger dance.
The grand pilivesha performance is preceded by a long body painting session which takes about 6 to 8 hours as various layers are to be painted.
The grand finale at some places involves the artists forming a human pyramid. Although the performers religiously take part in all the celebration, it is also a time for some of them to earn some extra money during the holiday season of Dasara.
This kind of dance form is usually found during processions where large numbers of people gather.
The artists go to different places, houses perform the dance and in return they are provided with monetary benefits. The dance is accompanied by familiar drum beats which adds more amusement to the dance form.