‘Hulivesha’ Dancers add Colour to Janmashtami Celebrations in Udupi

Udupi: The famous Tiger dance ‘Hulivesha’ and other performances across the temple town mesmerized the people during the two-day Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations.

The   Janmashtami celebrations in the temple town of Udupi began with ‘Arghyapradhan’ (offering of milk and holy water along with ‘Bilvapatra’) to the clay idol of Lord Sri Krishna inside the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Krishna Temple.

People witnessed the spectacle of two-legged tigers matching steps with the ear-splitting thunder of the taasa drums. And so, several tiger dance troupes descended on the streets of Udupi during Janmashtami, adding colour to the celebrations.

Tiger dance, the specialized folk dance of the coastal region known as Hulivesha, is being customized these days to highlight social causes and is no longer just a matter of dressing up like a tiger and moving to the drumbeat.

Like Muddu Krishna during Krishnashtami, the streets were busy with colourfull teams painted in golden yellow stripes of the tiger. Tiger troupes spend lakhs of rupees on their costumes. The dancers wear white shorts which have a tiger skin motif, and don yellow paint. The rest of the body and face is painted like tigers and leopards. A mask and at times, a tail, complete the costume.

The main attraction of this folk form is the traditional dance steps put while performing the art. According to Marpalli Hulivesha team in Udupi, skills may vary from person to person. While the knowledge of the tiger dance steps is essential, it is also important to have the ability to do the dance over a long period of time, which requires good stamina.

Dancers entertained the people with vigorous dancing. Though there was a heavy downpour in the city, it made no difference to the enthusiasm of the dancers.