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Bhootha Aradhane, Harige, Naga Nrutya and Vatte Kola
No less interesting is the Bhootha Aradhane or
devil worship, very common in the coastal towns of Karnataka. Idols
representing 'bhoothas' are taken out in a procession to the beating of
drums and bursting of firecrackers. As the procession ends, the idols
are placed on a pedestal.
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Bidriware
Bidriware is a craft exclusive to Bidar, the 16th century capital town of the
Bahamani Sultanate. Pretty designs are engraved on it with
a growing chisel. Thereafter it is inlaid with pure silver wire which is
then polished with a buffing machine.
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Doll Making
Doll making is another craft famous in Karnataka evenly arranged on wooden platforms, decorated and displayed during the nine day Dusshera. Kinnal and Gokak in north Karnataka and Channapatna on the Bangalore/Mysore
are famous for doll-making.
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Folk Art and Craft
Some of Karnataka's folk arts and age-old rituals have given rise to many traditional handicrafts. The worship of spirits-the bhuta
cult-in the coastal districts has confident the making of huge wooden
idols, some of which are kept outside villages as guardians of the
inhabitants.
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Ivory Carving
Lvory
carving is another well-liked craft prevailing in the entire state.
Articles carved delicately without excessively ornate image adjoining
the figures, mostly showcasing the figures of god and goddess.
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Karnataka Mysore Paintings
The story of Karnataka's arts and crafts is never comprehensive without a reference to the traditional Mysore
paintings. |
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Krishna Parijatha
A folk theatre art form well-liked in Uttar Karnataka. It is a mixture of Yakshagana and Byalatta with themes culled from the great epic Mahabharata.
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Kunitha & Dollu-Kunitha
In Pata Kunitha, the major
emphasis is more on the manipulation of pata (embellished bamboo pole,
each measuring 10 to 15 feet high, carried by 10 to 15 artistes) than
the narration. |
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Metal
Ware
Bidar in Karnataka, is a famous for bidriware-a
craft done on a metal plate of zinc, copper, tin and lead.
Bidri articles ornamental jugs, bowls, plates pen holders, candle
sticks and even paper knives.
Nagamangala near Mysore is famous for its bronze items and
Mangalore in the west coast boasts of domestic articles made of
bell-metal.
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Mysore Silk
The very word silk has a
touch of class about it. Sensuous and romantic, it has captivated man
for many centuries. In Karnataka, as in other parts of India where silk
is fancied, it is, in fact, a way of life. |
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Nagamandala
The People of Dakshina Kannada perform an elaborate ritual called Nagamandala to appease the serpent spirit. It is conducted in an extravagant manner throughout the night, wherein dancers known as the Vaidyas dress themselves as nagakannikas
and dance the night away.
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Sandalwood Craft
Sandal wood is native to the deciduous forests of Karnataka. Intricate carving in sandal wood has been practiced in Karnataka for over 1000 years. This expert skill handed down for generations, is concentrated in the Uttara Kannada and Bangalore districts of Karnataka.
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Stone Carvers
Shilpis the stone carvers of Karnataka are supreme of all, they had won the master crafts-man awards at the national level while others have been assigned to carve stone idols for Hindu temples abroad, especially in the USA.
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Yakshagana
A trip to the coastal belt would be incomplete without watching the Yakshagana - an elaborate dance-drama performance unique to Karnataka. It is a rare combination of dance, music, songs, scholarly dialogues and colourful
costumes.
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The Craft of Wood Carving
Karnataka has come to occupy pride of place in the field of wood carving. Holding a Vast densely populated forest reserves, the State provides enough raw material for its craftsmen who continue to employ age-old techniques for carving, inlay-work, coating, painting and lacquer articles in wood.
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