Mahesh

Mahesh is a folk dance artist who has been performing Dollu Kunitha. He has been a part of Karnataka Janapada Kala team which has been created and registered under the name Kempe Gowda Janapada Kala team. His team has been conducting programmes for the last 20 years. This being an art form for the men of Karnataka, in the sense, it has to be performed with a lot of effort and energy. His team has been performing these programmes across all states for the last 20 years. According to Mahesh, as far as the origin of Dollu Kunitha is concerned, it is said that there was a demon named Dolla-asura. He prayed rigorously to Lord Shiva. In return, he requested Lord Shiva to grant him a wish. Dolla-asura swallowed Lord Shiva. After being swallowed by Dolla-asura, Lord Shiva grew in massive proportion inside the demon’s stomach. Being unable to bear the pain, Dolla-asura pleaded Lord Shiva to come out. Lord Shiva came out by tearing open the demon’s stomach, killing him in the process. Lord Shiva used the demon’s stomach and the skin to make the drum. The demon’s arms were used as sticks to beat the drum. The demon’s intestine was used to make the band wear the drums around the neck. Lord Shiva expressed his anger through this violent form of dance.

• Bangalore
• Karnataka