This video documents a song from the first act of the Kollata ritual, performed by the Jenu Kuruba community of Karnataka and Kerala during the Vishu festival.
Kollata, translated as "stick dance" in the Jenu Kuruba dialect ("kollaata kolu" - sticks, "aata" - dance), is a traditional performance involving a group of men.
A distinct feature of Kollata is the selection of two male participants who, following a prayer, embody deities: Soole (female) and Kodangi (male).
This particular song is associated with the opening act of the twelve-act Kollata ritual. It signifies respect for elders and marks the official beginning of the performance.
Community: Jenu Kuruba
Region: Karnataka & Kerala
Festival: Vishu, and other important occasions.
Ritual: Kollata (First Act)
Language: Jenu Kuruba dialect
Girijana Samagra Abhivridhi Kalasamsthe, a cultural organization, of Jenu Kuruba community performed this song in the video filmed in Coorg.
The term 'Jenu' translates to "honey" in Kannada and their language, reflecting their traditional occupation of collecting honey in the forests of the Western Ghats for centuries.
Traditional forest dwellers, Jenu Kuruba are one of the most marginalized groups in Kerala and are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
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