DOMBARATA
Dombas
(domba, dombarATa) (ದೊಂಬ,
ದೊಂಬರಾಟ) constitute one of the migrant, nomadic communities
of Karnataka. They are also called ‘kollaTiga’s. (ಕೊಲ್ಲಟಿಗರು)
Their performances are called
‘kollaTigana ATa’. They seem to have migrated from Andhrapradesh, particularly
the hilly districts of Kadappah,
Dombas
worship a number of local deities such as Yellamma, dyAmavva, mAramma,
durgamma, hanumanta etc. Yellamma is worshipped on the full moon day of the
month Chaitra. (The first month of the Indian Calendar) They practice polygamy
and their weddings rituals are very simple. Most of the weddings take place in
Tumakur which happens to be their base. There is a major settlement of Dombas on the
outskirts of Belgaum city.
‘Dombara
KuNita’ is a unique dance practiced by the domba women belonging to a
particular clan in Shivamogga district. The women are decked in white sarees
and men who dance with them are required to wear masks.
Dombas
are renowned for their acrobatic skills and magical performances. It is to be
noted that these performances are neither religious nor ritualistic. It is pure
entertainment performed in order to earn their livelihood. This made it
mandatory fro them to move from village to village carrying all their
possessions on donkeys and oxen. Naturally they were obliged to live in
temporary makeshift huts.
Usually
these acrobatic performances are held in village squares or inter section of
roads. The news is spread in the village by the beating of drums. The
spectators are seated around a circular arena. Domba men, women and children
bedecked in colourful garments participate in a continuum of acrobatic acts.
The women wear multicoloured skirts and blouses. They wear ornaments such as
bead necklaces, nose rings and ear rings. They use eye-black (surmaa) and
flowers. They dance to the tunes of drums and a simple stringed instrument made
with coconut shells. An elderly man dressed in pajamas, coat and a headgear
regales the spectators with humorous and hilarious talk. There is yet another
clown called ‘beLLikuLLa’, dressed like a buffoon indulging in various
pranks.
But
the main performers stand apart from these pranksters. Even infants are made to
participate in hair raising acts. An infant is placed in a prone position on a
15 ft. pole. Then the pole is raised vertically. Then the pole is removed
suddenly and the infant is caught with bare hands. Swords, daggers, knives,
iron balls, magic wands, iron rings of different sizes, bANa cakra, anklets,
human bones and skulls are both exhibited and used during various stages of the
performance. They also possess many articles made of leather, ropes, and bamboo
sticks and whips.
At
the beginning of the performance a benaka (gaNEsha) made of cow dung is
worshipped and then a pole is erected on the ground. The main items of the
performances are as follows: 1. climbing a pole 2 sudden descent from the pole.
3. Performing somersaults holding the pole. 4. Drawing an oxen cart with one’s
own hair. 5. Carrying a huge rock on the chest while lying down in a prone
position 6. Tight rope walking 7.
Lifting a water filled vessel with teeth 8. Walking with wooden legs. 9.
Youngsters indulging in performances such as passing through a hoop.
After
the performance alms are collected from the onlookers. Later the women folk go
from house to house collecting grains and other food materials. Occasionally
they manufacture and sell wooden and horn combs as also paper dolls. They go
around with a puppet like doll and make it dance to the tune of their songs.
Dombas are also called upon
to perform a repertoire of additional services such as making oracular
predictions, performing exorcistic rites and curing certain diseases.
Gradually ‘dombaraaTa’
performances are waning because of the civilizing experiences of the modern
life.