Sullia: Lions roar during Shardoola Navaratri here!

Sullia: While the tiger dance (huli vesha) takes the spotlight in the coastal regions of Tulunadu during Navaratri, it’s the lion dance that holds sway in Sullia and Kadaba.

Mythologically, the lion is revered as the vehicle of Goddess Durga, who is often called Simhavahini. This association has made the lion dance an integral part of Navaratri celebrations in these regions. Despite the growing popularity of tiger dance across various parts, the lion dance teams have also seen a noticeable increase in numbers in recent years.

Performers of the lion dance wear costumes with yellow-colored shirts and pants mimicking the colour of lions, complete with a tail and a lion’s mask. Traditionally, this dance was an essential part of religious rituals, with dedicated teams performing as lions accompanied by a hunter figure holding a bow and arrow. The interplay between the lion and the hunter provides great entertainment. In some places, instead of a hunter, a joker dressed in a comical outfit joins the performance to amuse the crowd.

Nowadays, apart from the traditional yellow lion costume, performers also don white and black lion outfits. Additionally, bear costumes and other disguises are also becoming part of the performance in rural areas. The dance is accompanied by musical instruments like the “tase” and “dolu.”

Rising Number of Teams

A few years ago, during Navaratri, there was typically only one lion dance troupe performing in a village. However, now, the number has increased to four or five teams per village, with around 20-30 teams seen in the marketplaces.

The lion dance requires less effort and cost compared to the tiger dance, making it more accessible for smaller teams with fewer members. Some teams also perform battle scenes inspired by the Yakshagana art form, particularly the battle between the lion and Mahishasura. Recently, these performances have started incorporating acrobatic moves similar to those in tiger dance, adding to their visual appeal.

“The tradition of lion dance during Navaratri is an age-old practice, but the number of teams has surged in the last few years. Previously, only one or two teams would visit homes during Navaratri, but today, there are over 10-20 teams performing this dance. The lion dance begins on the first day of Navaratri and ends on the ninth day when the performers offer their service to the goddess,” said A. Kepu Ajila, Sullia, Scholar, Tulu Poet, and Folk Dancer

 

Translated version of Kannada article by Dayananda Kalnar