MODI – MATA (MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT)
Modi
(mODi) (ಮೋಡಿ) and Mata (mATa) (ಮಾಟ) have
two different connotations in Kannada. Evil intentions are not involved in
mODi. On the contrary ‘mATa mADuvudu’ has definite harmful connotations. A
particular individual or a family becomes the victim of 'mATa'. Modi is usually
an act of make believe providing awe inspiring and hair-tingling entertainment. These practices are prevalent all over Karnataka and
other regions of
These
skills are learnt through the time-honored ‘guru-shishya’ tradition. They are
supposed to have mastered occult powers with the help of chants (mantra) and they are adept in many tricks of the
trades.
Usully,
modi artists sport long hair and luxuriant moustaches. They wear a waistcoat
(vyAsakOTu) and a colourful turban. Jingling anklets are mandatory. They are
called ‘penDe’ or ‘gaggara’. Modi is usually contested between two opponents or
opposing groups. The opponents challenge one another to undo the effects
created by them. This contest goes on and on till one of them accepts defeat.
Once in a while, a single magician exhibits his wears in the absence of any
competitor. Entertaining tricks such as converting a piece of paper in to a
currency note, producing sugar starting from a stone are some of these skills.
There
are two major varieties of mODi called ‘rAja mODi’ and ‘raNa mODi’. The former
is relatively harmless. RaNmODi is dangerous, occasionally ending up in the
death of one of the contenders.
In
‘rAja mODi’ eight enclosures are drawn on the ground and objects such as a
lemon, a 25 pise coin, an egg, a pumpkin seed, a slipper and a broom are kept
in these enclosures by one of the parties concerned. The challenge is to remove
the object from its enchanted habitat. The first party does every thing in its
power to retain the object at its original abode. Sometimes he keeps on
shifting the coin from place to place and it is pursued by the other party. For
instance the coin may be found ultimately in the stomach of a frog hopping
around in the neighbourhood pond. In case of the pumpkin seed the challenger is
expected to make the seed sprout, bloom and finally result in a big pumpkin.
More often than not these tasks are accomplished by the challenging wizard.
After all the eight regions are covered alms are collected from the bewitched
onlookers and surprisingly they are shared by the challengers and the
challenged.
Ranamodi
is a serious matter and previously it was necessary to obtain government
permission to stage this. Of late, this performance is becoming very rare. Here,
the main performer is assisted by a team. The contestants are bound by an
agreement which forbids legal action in case of accidental death.
It
is usually practiced out side the village in a special pendal erected for the
purpose. The Goddess Chaudi is installed, worshipped and invoked by both the
parties at different places. The world famous Indian rope trick, removal and re
installation of eyes, swallowing a two feet sword, causing physical pain to the
opponent, burial of a living person are a few of the practices that could be
seen during raNamODi.
Forces
of modernization are pushing these practices into oblivion and some of these sources
of entertainment as well as harassment are fast vanishing.