Tribal’s Dance, Songs and Music of Soligas in Karnataka

: Tribal is one of the interesting community in India and they have variety of culture and norms in their community. Dance and music is one of the core parts of their culture. Dances and music they celebration are performed for every possible occasion: to celebrate the arrival of seasons, the birth of a child, a wedding and festivals, social activities such as hunting and food gathering. Karnataka has one of the states having more population of tribal people in India. Toda, Beda, Soliga, Hakki-Pikki, Konda Kaapu, Koraga, Bhils, Chenchu, gonds, etc. In Southern Karnataka Soligas are mainly distributed in the interior of the forests skirting the slopes of the Biligirirangan (BR Hill) hills and other hilly part of Chamrajanagar and Mysore districts. The Rotti Habba(Food Festval) was held in March-April every year, this is the famous festival for soliga people and during that time; they are arrange many religious program with dance they called “Kunitha”(Dance). Especially in this evening they arrange famous dance called “Goru Goruka Gorukana” dance with “Tamatte”(Drum) music was performed. Especial in this song males only dance with group song with tamatte in circle form. All females and other people observe carefully and enjoying dance, during this song and dance time, this community provide very big freedom for unmarried female, and this song and dance have a big meaning. This paper is analyzed and introduce the important culture of Soliga Tribes like dance, music and songs of Chamarjangar district of southern Karnataka, India.


Introduction:
India is one of very rich country in culture, as our past president Kalam said in India, we seen variety of culture like every 30-40 km we see one different culture, norms, language, dress style and food habit.Among Tribal community is one of the interesting people in our nation, generally they belsieve they are forest sons.And they have variety of culture and norms in their community.Dance and music is one of the core parts of their life.Dances and music they celebration are performed for every possible occasion: to celebrate the arrival of seasons, the birth of a child, a wedding and festivals, social activities such as hunting and food gathering.The main thing is they don"t have any special rules to sing and dance; they practice in their convenience and interest with respect of their culture.So their performances are non-classical dance forms.The only thing common among these dance forms is their life origins in forest.Most of them are extremely simple with a minimum of steps or movements.But they are very vigorous and energetic they burst with verve and vitality.Men and women perform together and sometime separately.On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments tamatte (drums), Dammadi, Dollu, Gejje, etc.Each form of dance has a specific costume.Most costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels.While there are numerous ancient folk and tribal dances, many are constantly being improved.The skill and the imagination of the dances influence the performance.

Tribal community in Karnataka:
Karnataka has a sizable population of tribal people.There are 34.64 lakhs tribals distributed in various regions of Karnataka.Raichur and Bellary contain large number of tribal communities.Toda, Beda, Soliga, Hakki-Pikki, Konda Kapu, Koraga, Bhils, Chenchu, gonds, maleru, badaga, hasala, meda, iruliga, jenu kuruba, yarava and siddis are some important tribes of Karnataka.Several other tribal communities of Karnataka possess their distinct tradition and ethnicity.They communicate in their local dialect and they also maintain their own tradition.Some of them are also reckoned as being originated from the warrior race.Coorg and Kodavas are known for their cultural and traditional distinctions among the tribal communities.

Objectives:
1. To Study the social structure of the soliga tribes.2. To Study the Dance, Songs and Music's in Soliga Tribes.

Soligas in Southern Karnataka:
South Karnataka popularly known as Land of greenery where ever we go there is a green paddy land, sugarcane, coconut trees are common and south Karnataka have huge forest and tribal community.Especially in Ramanagra, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Mysore, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagara district have tribal people.The Soligas are an aboriginal forest tribe inhabiting the state of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.The tribes of southern Karnataka are also known for their costumes, cultural habits, folk dances and songs, foods and their way of celebrating different festivals and occasions.The long list of the tribes of Southern Karnataka includes Toda tribe, Hakkipikki tribe, Jenu Kuruba tribe, Kadu Kuruba tribe, Kattunayakan tribe, Konda Kapus tribe, and Soliga tribe etc.Among several tribal communities "Soligas" are one of interesting tribal community in Southern Karnataka.Soligas are mainly distributed in the interior of the forests skirting the slopes of the Biligirirangan (BR) hills and other hilly part of Chamrajanagar and Mysore districts.

Soligas in Biligirirangan Hill
Soliga is a tribal community distributed mainly in three taluks of old Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts and has peculiar origin, especially in Biligirirangan (BR) hills.The Soliga believe that their forefathers originated from Bamboo (Soliga means the one who has come from within the Bamboo).The Soligas live in a tribal settlement called "Podu".It consists of a group of usually 10 to 50 huts.The huts have entrances as short as 3 feet to 4 feet.Usually bamboos along with some sticks and twigs from the forest are used for the construction of huts.The community life of the Soliga is very interesting.The sharing system has been practiced down the ages.No Soliga has ever suffered from acute want of food, as a Soliga harvests grains and shares with the community.They also have strong family and filial bonds.For a soliga child, forest is the school and life itself an ongoing process of education.Children learn the art of honey collection and traditional cultivation during their childhood.The folklores, songs, dance and religious practices are also important sources of a children"s linguistic and cultural schooling.Soligas have their own special culture, norms and customs, every festival and celebration they perform own dance, music"s and songs.Most of all their culture activity based on their life style, their believe and their god.Mainly among Mahadeshwara Swami, BeligeriRanganathaSwami and jade swami and all their religious activity centred in "DoddaSampige tree" these tree they perceive a god and these tree was very very old tree in that forest.

Soligas Dance, Songs and Music :
Soligas dances are traditional dance forms performed at social functions, or festivals or special occasions by ordinary peoples.They are an inherited tradition rather than innovation and often learn informally.They have and practice several songs and dance, among them mainly three songs and dance are.
• Goru Goruka Gorukana, Group Song and Dance: The Rotti Habba (Food Festival) was held in March-April every year, this is the famous festival for soliga people and during that time; they are arrange many religious program with dance they called "Kunitha"(Dance).Especially in this evening they arrange famous dance called "Goru Goruka Gorukana" dance with "Tamatte"(Drum) music was performed.Especial in this song males only dance with group song with tamatte in circle form.All females and other people observe carefully and enjoying dance, during this song and dance time this community provide very big freedom for unmarried female, If a woman liked a man, she would throw two stones at a time to indicate her interest.If a boy liked a girl, then the boy would wait for the girl he liked at the stream in the forest when the girl went there to fetch water.After ascertaining that they did not belong to the same Kula (clan), if both were agreeable to the marriage, then the pair would spend eight days in the forest.After that the couple would return to the village and the boy would pay a penalty of Rs. 12.25 to the head of the village.There was no practice of asking permission from the parents.
• Gowjalakina lakinu Laka, Ba Gejugale" Group Song: "Gowjalakina lakinu Laka, Ba Gejugale" This is one of the most practicable performance song of Soligas community.Soligas lives mainly depend upon forest resource.Mundane hunting, food gathering, collecting water, collecting honey and herbs.Everyday tribal people enter into deep forest for these things in single or small group.During this time they suppose they are not getting food or hunt like bird(Gijuga), In that time they will sing "Gowjalakina lakinu Laka, Ba Gejugale" it means bird do not go away from us come to near we will catch you.
• Jujina Boreyalli" tribal duet song and dance."Jujina Boreyalli" this is the one of the famous duet songs in Soligas community.In occasion of Rotti Habba If a woman liked a man, she would throw two stones at a time to indicate her interest.If a boy liked a girl, then the he would wait for the girl he liked at the stream in the forest when the girl goes there to fetch water.After ascertaining that they did not belong to the same Kula (clan), if both were agreeable to the marriage, then the pair would spend eight days in the forest.during this time they will sing this song to share feelings and interests.
• The Song Oolaga : The Oolaga melodies performed during the Rotti habba period Before they sing about the oolaga songs, 10 to 15 elders and younger people stand in front of the temple gods.Occasionally, they form a procession from the tank to the temple.During the singing, they call the god to the priest (Thammadi) and sing songs about the priest's passion.
• Tha Kagga songs: During the march from the tank to the temple, some elderly people lead the singing while other groups of people lead with traditional instruments.
• Jenu Hadu: This term refers to songs that are sung during the Rotti habba period in Aduke, also known as the aduke.The aduke also has songs that are sung during the honey harvesting in the trees and rocks, during which time Soliga honey harvester sings the songs.The songs mean honey harvesting stories and are narrated about honey bees, flowers, god, goddess, wild animals, rain, and agriculture.
• Gubbi yale sons and dance: These women's groups perform Gubbi yale songs and dances, which are about agriculture, forests, and life, during the Rotti habba and Mari habba periods in Chamarajanagar.
• Mari Kunitha: The Mari dance is performed during the Mari Habba, which is a goat sacrifice offered to the goddess.Later in the evening, people perform the Mari dance with musical instruments in front of the temple, dancing from about 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Tandana Tanana This song about Biligiri Rangaswamy, who is worshipped by the Soligas in the B.R. Hills of the Chamarajanagar district.According to the historical account, Rangaswamy visited Soligara Podu and fell in love with Kusumale, the daughter of Soligara Bommegowda.He then eloped with Kusumale and married her, which is why the Soligas refer to Biligiri Rangaswamy as their brother-in-law.

Conclusion:
Soligas community is one of the interesting communities in southern Karnataka; they have lot of culture and traditional practice in their life.Behind of every cultural practice like music, songs, dance.They have scientific meaning.Still even though in modern society they are living with their own culture.