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Pili Vesha
Yakshagana
Bhoothada Kola
Korida Katta
Kambla
Mosaru Kudike
Theru
 
 

PILI VESHA (Tiger Dance) In  local Tulu language Pili means a Tiger. Pili  vesha (tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina kannada that fascinates the young and the old alike. Here young boys and men paint their body with yellow and brown stripes, wear a tiger mask on their face and dance to the beats of the drums.  Pili vesha is performed only during Dasara  and Krishna Janmastami. In earlier days these artists would perform the dance for 10 days, at nights they would sleep on the plantain leaf so that the paint does not peel off and also to keep their body cool.  These people along with drums and pipes go dancing from house to house on every streets in Mangalore. You can also get to see some of the artist wearing garland of  currency notes. These days most of the houses pays Rs 25-100/- for the entire group  performing  the Pili Dance.	BHOOTHADA  KOLA Bhoothada  kola is yet another custom, a  complex ritual performed in interior Mangalore. A common form of worship and the Popular belief is that the almighty power enters the human body and blesses the people. Bhoothas are divine spirits,  it  is said that these divine spirits are around us, our family, our house and are protecting us from all evil things in life. So once in a year Bhoothada kola is arranged in the house (guttu house) for peace and harmony in the family. On this day the house owner (either the father or the eldest son) offers Tender coconut, Toddy and Chicken to the Bhootha. It is also a practice that in case of any auspicious event at home like marriage, property dealings, recovered from ill health or child birth the elders give Kola that year to bless the new wedded couple and the child. It is a night long ceremony, sometimes continues for 2-3 days. Large number of spectators come from near by place  to watch this.
YAKSHAGANA A trip to Mangalore is incomplete without watching the classic Yakshagana, an elaborate dance drama performance unique to Karnataka. A night-long event,with people adorned vibrantly, and dancing to the beatof drums, Yakshagana performance attracts thousandsof people. Yakshagana is a typical folk form of drama in this region,  the stylised costumes and masks are similar to that of  Kathakali in Kerala. Yakshagana is a true people’s theatre, commonly staged in the paddy fields at night and the themes are the same as all over India, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and mythological tales from the Puranas. In predominantly rural areas with little or no transportation, Yakshagana enjoys immense popularity and its exponents are honoured just as great stage artistes. Despite of strong influence of movies in the city, given an oppurtunity people today also love to watch Yakshagana. Unfortunately, the art is slowly  dying out as the artist are paid very little. Many Yakshagana Artists below to what is kown as "Mela", they are permanent employee of these Melas. These Melas go from place to place to perform the play. If you would like to know more about Yashagana. Visit Yakshagana.com	KORIDA KATTA (Cock Fight) This is a very important event and sport in Mangalore. Here there are 2 parties who play the game. They let their cock fight against each other, these cocks are armed with steel blades tied to their feet. In many cases one of the cocks dies due to heavy injuries.These cocks are breed with special care only for this purpose and event. Hundreds of people flock around the scene and participate in the event. Lots of betting takes place and is full of fun.  The defeated cock(died cock) becomes the property of  the winner. The winner gives the dead cock to the women folks at home to cook a delicious meal. Usually Kori sukka and Kori Rotti is made for the dinner as if celebrating.
KAMBLA Here  a pair of bullocks are made to run in the marshy fields filled with water called "Kesaru Gadde". A white cloth will be tied at certain height on this field, a winner is the one who spears mud/clay on the white cloth while running. Kadri kambla was very famous in earlier days, now due to lack of space and the growth of the city, people have built houses and complexes in the fields. The winner, the owner of the bullocks will be a getting a trophy and some cash price.	MOSARU KUDIKE Mosaru Kudike (Butter milk pot) is performed only during Krishna Janamastami. Kottara and Attavara  Mosaru Kudike is very famous in Mangalore, people gather here in these places in the evening to witness the magnificient event. Here earthen pots filled with butter milk, colour water and money is tied to the highest pole inbetween the road. Young boys and men form a human  ladder and try to reach the pots and break them, while they are forming a human ladder people around them throw  colour water on them. In udupi it is still celebrated with great pomp and show.

THERU