Karaga Dance Tradition of Karnataka

Karaga folk dance is a traditional dance devoted to Draupadi. It is performed on a full moon night. It is also known as Droupthamma. Karaga is celebrated by the Tigala group in the Karnataka region.

History of Karaga Folk Dance

The dance and its traditions are related to the epic Mahabharata. “Vastrakshepa” (stripping) of Draupadi, the banishment of Pandavas, and the demise of Draupadi’s sons by Ashwatthama are the common scenes that are performed in this dance. After all such miseries, she was embraced as a powerful woman. The Tigala community believes themselves to be the offsprings of Draupadi, who are most commonly horticulturists.

Karaga Dance Traditions

Karaga means a mud pot. A tall flowered pyramid is made to stand above it. It is balanced on the head of a person called the carrier.  The pot’s contents stay unknown for a long time. The arrival of the carrier is awaited by a large group of people being bare-chested and wearing a turban on the head. Their lower body covered in dhotis, they carry unsheathed swords. The carrier is taken away from his house by people enrolled with the Dharmaraya Temple.

The wife of the carrier acts as the widow. Her “Mangal Sutra” and bangles are given to her husband to wear. The wife will not see her husband or the pot until the end of the festival. The Tigala community, who believe Draupadi as their most important god, has faith that Draupadi’s power increase during the Festival and the Carrier dressed as a woman signifies Draupadi.  The carrier keeps dancing along with the Veerakumaras as he balances the Karaga or pot on his head. The VeeraKumaras keep hitting their unsheathed swords on their chest, chanting “dik-di dik-di.”

Different Karaga Festivals

There are different forms of the Karaga festival, which differ from region to region. All parts of Mahabharata are celebrated. Some such festivals are:

Karaga in Madikeri

This Karaga festival starts during the Navratri time.  The four Mariyamma temples of the city start with one Karaga or pot. These temples are called the “Shakthi devatas of the town.” They go and be a guest of each house in Madikeri and take pooja.  This Karaga celebration is a ten-day festival starting from Mahalaya and ends on Vijay Dashami. The dance these Karagas perform is very entertaining to watch.

Naraspura Karaga

Naraspura Karaga festival is celebrated in March, April, or May. There are two different Karagas with one; Hasi Karaga, two; Hoovani Karaga.  The ceremony starts eleven days before a full moon, beginning with the Dwajarohana and finishing with the Sapthakalasha Karaga festival.  Rangoli is made in front of all the houses of Naraspura for the greeting of Karaga into their homes with shraddha and bhakti. 

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