GUMATE, GUMATE PANGU
Gumate(gumaTe) (ಗುಮಟೆ) and Gumate Pangu (gumaTe pAngu) (ಗುಮಟೆ ಪಾಂಗು)
are variants of a musical instrument which provide the back ground score
for a folk dance practiced mainly by the ‘hAlakki okkaliga’ community of the
North Canara district in Karnataka. Some other communities that are conversant
with this art are Mukri, Kumarapant, Namadhari and Ambiga are the important
communities that are familiar with this dance. In the
Gumate
is about thirty inches long and it is essentially in the shape of a jug. It is
open on both the sides and the larger opening is covered with the skin of animals,
‘cApa’ (uDa)(Iguana) or Forest sheep. The smaller opening at the end is
left just like that. This instrument is played in the company of ‘jamate’
(jAgaTe) and kamsALe (bronze cymbals) Gumate Pangu is just about 18 inches long
and other wise it is similar to Gumate. They are hung from the neck with the
help of ropes.
Gumate
performances take place during the harvest season and other festive occasions
including hOLi.
Gumate
troupes perform their art during the nights of summer in the residences of
village dwellers having gone there on invitation. The group consists of about
four to five artists. The main singer plays on the instruments also. Others
imitate his songs. The rhythm and pace of the instruments vary depending on the
song.
Some
other troupes have six artists and five of them stand in a circle and beat the
Gumates. The sixth one wears anklets and dances to the tune of the instruments.
Very rarely they wear special costumes. Once in a while the songs narrate a
story (historical or mythological) and the performance acquires a theatrical
dimension. Usually they render some thirty different songs praising different
gods and goddesses. Now days they select songs with social and political themes
also.
Further
Readings and Links:
1.
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/halakki/gumatepak_troupe.htm (A Gumatepak troupe. Courtesy Kamat’s
potpouri)