New moon day of Phalguna month ( Spring season) of Hindu calendar. This new moon day is
special in Northern part of Karnataka. It has got its own significance as, it
give a start to the Holi celebration.
This is a small try to cover the pre Holi celebration that take in my home district Bagalkot, which is quite famous throughout India.
I hail out from an artistic town that gives richness to
Indian ladies, Ilkal. Yes, I’m
telling about Ilkal Sarees
which are the result of master-class art of weaving. Ilkal sarees increase richness of Indian ladies, Just like Sarees Holi celebration that takes in most of the places of Bagalkot district takes place even in my
Hometown as well.
Halage mela
Right from the period of Before Christ to until date android
era, every creed, every human believes music is an asset of praying almighty. Halagemela is one such music procession that starts after
Phalguna Amavasya. Almost every man
in our town takes part in the procession every evening in their respective
residential areas.
Each man will play kanjra
(Halige) in their unique styles, beats. Kanjra is Avanadda type of Classical instruments,
which is prepared by the skin of ox or buffalo (Nowadays with Polymer). This
instrument gives a unique sound on beating with thin wooden stick.
Halige mela is
supported by Ghana vadya’s such as
Tala, anklets, Jagate(bell), Ginchi (Anklets), which
are all classical folklore instruments, which are of metallic origin.
Combination of Halige
and other solid metallic instruments provides unique mesmerizing sounds. This
attracts any music lover and Halige mela
start immediately after Phalguna Amavasya and procession runs for 15 days
until HOLI. This gives environment of
the bliss and celebration and showcase unique musical culture of Northern parts
of Karnataka.
Dance
Music and dance are always inseparable. Where there is
music, there exists the Dance. We can
experience it when you hear wonderful music of folklore. Especially; the one
similar to Halagemela . The participants
move their legs; shake their body by their own without their notice.
One such wonderful dance one should watch is the Banjara dance made by the Banjara communities of Northern karnataka. They are special in their
dresses, steps, beats and the way they celebrate this Pre Holi period.
Sogu
This a mock of the somber, sorrow, fun mixed with the folk
stories and lesson. Sogu is similar
to mock plays. Sogu is where, men
acts as women and showcase the sombre, sorrow that occurs after the loss of a
family member or a friend. People often narrate folk story combined with the
moral lessons in a funny style. This Sogu
also runs for 15 days after Halige mela
and it will be a treat to watch for all the lovers of Indian tradition,
culture.
Wood theft
This is one more bizarre activity that is allowed by people
only for 15 days from Phalguna Amavasya to Holi festival. Kids and men stole wood, cowdung cakes, rags, waste
materials, plastic materials, dried fruit peels, and Waste clothes from the
households of their respective colonies. They burn all these theft items along
with Lord Kama (the god of Lust) on
the day of Full moon day.
Even if their own materials get stealed, nobody will not
care, instead people believe they lost their dirty omen and it will bless them
prosperity. Phalguna Amavasya signifies the start of summer
and people in North Karnataka usually sleep on terrace of their houses to bear
the heat from this period. This enhances theft activities.
Unfortunately, tradition of wood theft is wrongly utilized
by few of cunning bastards to rob the houses, to attack layman in the night, to
conduct burglary activities.
Conclusion
It is always great to be part of different culture, customs and
celebrations. These all rituals, which are part of pre Holi celebration, are nothing but a part of celebration that contributes
to our culture, way of living, peace and harmony.
