The Rhythm of Music over Dasara
By REUBEN MACHADO, MANGALORU 3/10/2017
Dasara has been one of the most famous festivals celebrated in India. The Mangaluru Dasara is a festival which is organised by Kudroli Shri Gokarnantheshwara Temple. This festival is also recognized as “Navarathri Festival” “Vijayadashami”. The main attractions of this festival are the Tiger dance, Lion dance and the bear dance which is popularly known as “Huli vesha” in kannada and “Pili vesha” in tulu. The city is enhanced with beautiful lighting for 10 days of the occasion for spectacular viewing.
“Where words fail music speaks”. As a student of journalism and mass communication, I was assigned with the topic “Transition of traditional music to modern music and its impact over Dasara”. Music is in my blood and the first person to inherit music in my life, my dad. His thought about this topic is “Time has changed, in olden days as well as in the present days. Technology is flying high. Same thing is applied in the field of music also. In olden days for Dasara the traditional devotional music was being played and devotees were taking part and enjoying this sort of music and even nowadays also, I can’t deny that there are no people to watch devotional music. There are people that is what we observe. But most of the youth are attracted towards film and fusion music like DJs, live band etc.. This present age music may not help devotees to celebrate their devotion”.
“There’s nothing better than live music. Its raw energy and raw energy feeds the soul”. When asked to one of the live performer Harish, one of the famous saxophonist in the town says that “He loves what he does, and loves the live music. There’s nothing to compare to live music, there just isn’t anything. Harish is a live performer with his brass band who accompany him. These artists perform in the temple during Dasara each year and help devotees to celebrate their devotion through their soulful music. Many other anonymous sources said “They love and respect the traditional music as its got the traditional importance and the way its been the culture from many years. While some said they like modern music like DJs, tabloids which is normally played during the grand procession. The present generation people like this.
“Change is the order of the day”. While asked with one of the tablo group they say “there are different varieties of music such as DJs, Live bands which include various artists playing different instruments together”. The tablo groups have started from 2011 and since have played a big role in during Dasara. There are 130 such groups of tablo that perform on the 10th day during the grand procession. These groups are assigned with different themes which is being performed in different trucks. These trucks maintain 15 to 20 meters gap in between them so that there is no noise distraction that may hinder the other group’s performances. These tablo groups include small theme based drama which is supported with the background music, there are also live singers who sing with the karaoke, and even some dances during the procession. The theme that was given to this group last year was about “Tulunadu culture” and this was wonderfully performed by this troupe. While asked about the opinion on traditional and modern music, they say that The DJ music is a must and required especially during the procession because the live performers if start playing will have to play till hours together along with the weather conditions especially when its raining. Considering these factors the DJ music is being liked and played during the procession. This procession begins from the Kudroli Shree Gokarnantheshwara temple in the evening of Vijayadashmi and will end at the same venue early morning next day with the immersion of the idols at the Pushkarini pond inside the temple complex. The procession passes through the main roads of the city including Kudroli, Mannagudda, Ladyhill, Lalbagh, KS road, Hampankatta, Car Street and Alake.
In one of the temples a beautiful brass band was seen performing with 3 trumpets as the lead instrument. Chende troupe also performed in this temple. Many other instruments such as saxophone, clarinet, and flute were also being played during the small processions. The traditional music as well as the modern music have got their own significance based on different situations.
The true Dedication of an Artist:
“You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.”, so is the passion of the live performers who performed during this Dasara in Kudroli temple. While you see them playing the notes from their heart, my heart melts. There was a group of 5-10 artists who were differently able. Some were blind whereas some had some other disorders, but the way they were playing, singing, enjoying and coordinating so well is highly thinkable. They sounded so professional that one couldn’t believe that they were differently able. These artists are really an inspiration especially to younger generation and also to people to motivate themselves and devout themselves to god.
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