Somana Kunitha -Mask dance of Karanataka
Somana Kunitha or Soma kunitha - the 'Mask dance,' is a traditional folk art form from Southern Karnataka that serves as a kind of spirit worship. It conveys a profound message about the ancient village deities of Karnataka. Somas means Masks and Kunitha means dance. Somas are considered as the guardian angels or the body guards serving the feminine deity/ies of the villages. These entities are generally distinguished by two colours - the red one known as Kencha Raya and the yellow one known as Bootha Raya. Kenhcaraya serves as the divine protector of Lord Vishnu, and so, offerings of lamb and other animals are presented to pacify him. However, it is important to note that Booth Raya cannot be appeased through any form of slaughtering. The masks, which symbolize the protective angels, are crafted through a series of traditional procedures and then paraded in a procession. The two factions of celestial guardians also symbolize the devout followers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishn...