Sullia: Bhutaaradhane or worship of the demi-gods is one beautiful part of the Tuluva culture. This ritual of connecting to the demi-gods through an impersonator is an integral part of the Tuluvas’ belief system. The entire Bhootaaradhane revolves around the annual rituals of Bhoota Kola, the over-night event where the impersonator dressed in colourful, jazzy, bright clothes and make-up gets possessed by the demi-gods and speaks to the believers.
It is rather a feast for eyes to watch the beauty of the impersonators dressed like demi-gods. The make-up to clothes, every aspect attached to this event is an artistic marvel and there are a few hands that are specialised in making clothes for the ‘Bhoothas’ or the demi-gods.
As February approaches, skilled hands of V R Ramesh of Mallika tailoring hall in Sullia turn busier as orders of clothes for the boothas pile up on his table. The season of the ‘bhoothakola’ ideally begins by March and preparation for the same begins way before February. With 20 years of experience in tailoring in general and 12 years of experience stitching clothes for the Daivas, Ramesh’s fashion is donned by the Daivas not just in Tulunadu, but also in Kerala, where worship of demi-gods is carried on just like coastal Karnataka.
Ramesh designs dresses in accordance with the ritual and the needs of the ritual specialist by embedding the fabric with signs of cobra, sun, moon, stars and various other zodiac symbols to go along with the occasion. Colourful shiny strips are added to the outfits to make them look jazzy as most of these rituals take place during the night.
He procures fabric and other essentials from specific outlets in Bengaluru and stitches them according to the specifications to fulfill the needs of his customers. Outfits for each deity may vary and Ramesh stitches outfits that are worn by impersonators of Pashanamurthy,Ullakulu, Panjurli, Rudra Chamundi, Raktheshwari, Bhagawathi,Vayanat Kulavan and Vishnumurthy in the region.Three days are required with patience and delicate handwork to turn out a new outfit for an event. The skills employed are very different from those in stitching normal outfits meant for general or special occasion.
Ramesh did not undergo specific training to acquire skills in the trade but he learnt the art by simply watching the Bhootakola from childhood. The attires and the designs witnessed then have remained fresh in his memory and now he employs his own skills to execute seasonal orders. During the season he stitches around 25 outfits every year for customers including those in Kerala.
An expert in making flag banners too
During religious fairs near Daivastanas (places of worship) flag banners are tied to specific tree posts. Each temple needs flags of specific design to be placed atop flag posts, which are erected in front of places of worshop. Ramesh uses his tailoring skills to stitch different flag banners which include Simha dhvaja, Nandi dhvaja, Garuda dhvaja, Kukkuta Dhvaja and few others employing delicate hand work.
Plays Chandevadya to perfection
Ramesh’s family migrated to Thodikana in Sullia taluk from Neeleshwar in Kerala 60-years-ago. Both Ramesh and his brother V R Shridhar play a specific drum instrument called Chandevadya across temples in the region.
Brothers playing in tandem attracts huge crowds during temple fairs and Bhrahma Kalasha events in both Karnataka and neighbouring Kerala.
Ramesh is confident of stitching most complex Bhuta kola outfits with ease today. The journey which started with a simple attempt to stitch one outfit 12 years ago is in free flowing mode today for skilled Ramesh.
