sNEELAGARA
‘Neelagara’s
(nIlagAraru) (ನೀಲಗಾರರು)
belong to the category of professional religious singers. Most of them belong to the dalit community
and they vow their loyalty to manTEsvAmi, the folk deity/hero who is revered in
South Karnataka by a number of communities. Occasionally persons belonging
communities such as kuruba, uppailiga, kumbAra, maDivALa and parivAra also take
up this calling on their own volition. Neelagaras hail from and practice their
art in the districts of Chamarajanaagra, Mandya, Mysore and Bangalore (Rural)
districts. ‘ManTEsvAmi’ is their clan deity and the protagonist of the folk
epic ‘manTEsvaMi
kAvya’ recited by the Neelagars. Actually the word ‘Neelagara’ is derived
from ‘leele’ (miraculous deeds) because they sing the glories and deeds of
Manteswami. They consider Rachappaji and Siddappaji the disciples and
successors of manTEsvAmi as their masters. That is why they are called ‘manTEdEvaru’
or ‘mantEdayya’. They have their shrines and centres in four places called
‘bappagowdanapura’, ‘cikkellUru’, ‘kappaDi’ and ‘maLavaLLi’. There is an annual
congregation of Neelagars during the fair of manTEsvAmi. Neelagaras are
admitted in to the order after a religious ceremony of initiation called
‘deekshe’. The initiation takes place at the tender age of seven. The initiate
begins to live with a few senior Neelagars and undergoes an apprenticeship for
a few years. Basically he learns to sing and recite the texts that constitute
an uninterrupted oral tradition. Some Neelagars do not master the art of
singing and they are given a single Rudrakshi to wear around their necks. These
singers move around from village to village during a particular season and
collect alms. They give their performances during community activities or
family celebrations
Neelagars have a traditional costume
of their own. It consists of a black over coat (Jubba), red head gear; (rumAlu)
and white dhoti tied crosswise (Kacce pance) constitute their dress. A shoulder
bag (JoLige) to collect alms and a stick completes their make up. Tanpura
(tambUri) is their main instrument. They use other instruments such as gaggara,
Dakke and tALa also. Usually they move around in a group of three or more. They
consider tambUri as a gift given to their master Siddappaji by muttatirAya. (A
God) It is about five feet in length and is made of Jackfruit tree wood. Its
top part is shaped as a lion’s face or the head of a cobra. Their songs are
very melodious. The instrumental score matches it. They do not dance during
their performance. The variations of tunes and fluctuations of voice are
charming.
Manteswamy epic is the staple item
in their repertoire. However the songs are categorized as religious and
materialistic. Manteswami is a religious epic. piriyApaTTANada kALaga, arjuna
jOgi hADu, bAla nAgamma, biLigiri ranga, banje honnamma etc belong to the later
category.
Neelagars and many such communities
are responsible for the preservation and propagation of our folk traditions and
oral epics.