Mangalore theatre will be showcased at Republic day parade

This year’s Republic Day Parade in New Delhi will showcase the ritualistic theatre, popular in Mangalore and nearby coastal regions, called Bhootaradhane.
The ritualistic theatre artistes of Mangalore and Udupi will enact it on the tableau of Karnataka state on January 26 on Rajpath.
Bhootaradhane has been a matter of study at post-doctoral level by many international scholars such as Peter Claus of University of California and late Dr Lauri Honko of Nordic Institute of folklore in Turku University, Finland and his wife Anelli L Honko and many others in European universities. This time it will be on show before the entire country in its most prestigious parade.
Bhootaradhane or spirit worship is a native ritualistic theatre of Mangalore.
There are many bhootas (spirits) and they have roots in the caste system. There are Brahmin bhootas, tribal bhootas, Bunt bhootas and Dalit bhootas; in parts in northern Kerala, there are Muslim bhootas too.
“The one which will be on display in the parade will be a combination of these and the artistes have been chosen from different bhootaradhane types, said an official of the department of Kannada and culture.
The tableau, the Bhoota Gudi has been crafted in part wood and papier mache and coloured with wood polish.
The tableau has three parts, a gudi (shrine), a large platform on which the bhoothas perform, and a ratha.
The ritualistic folk artistes in their bhoota attire will dance to the accompaniment of chende vadya, the official added.