>Marcocapelle at 04:58, 6 July 2021

2021-07-06T04:58:33Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
[[File:Aati Kalenja 02.JPG|thumb|Aati Kalenja]]
'''Aati Kalenja''' is an ancient traditional folk art form practiced by [[Tulu people]] from the region of [[Tulu Nadu]], [[India]] which is believed to bring prosperity during Aati which is one of the months in [[Tulu calendar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/an-inauspicious-month-in-tulu-nadu/article3677132.ece|title=An 'inauspicious' month in Tulu Nadu|last=Kamila|first=Raviprasad|date=24 July 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> It normally comes in the months of July and August.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=82833|title=Bantwal Aati Kalenja's Arrival Keeps Evil at Bay|website=daijiworld.com|access-date=1 October 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Background ==
[[Tulu Nadu]] is known for its rich traditions. Especially in villages of [[Tulu Nadu]] where agriculture has a significant role in the life of [[Tuluva]]s socio-economic fabric is the people belonging to Nalike community visit houses of people in a colorful attire masquerading as Kalinja. In return, people would offer rice, vegetables and money to artistes. It is believed that during the month of Aati, nature's spirit Kalenja descends on Earth to bless the land and its people. The performance begins on poove - the day before the full moon, and continues till the end of the month.

It is believed that Aati Kalenja brings the positive energy which would ward off evil spirits and diseases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/493155/healing-beats-aati-kalenja.html|title=Healing beats of Aati Kalenja|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> Aati is when there is a heavy rain fall which would destroy the crops. During this season heavy rain causes not only disasters but also diseases as the season is conducive to the insects and pests to breed. So man is more prone to sickness in this season and poverty due to lack of work for the people who are solely depending on the agriculture. This is the reason for Aati being considered as month of disasters. This is when the man starts pleading and pleasing the nature to be merciful towards him. This could well be called the origin of the Aati Kalenja cult in [[Tulu Nadu]].

== The Costume ==
[[File:Aati kalenja 2 (ಆಟಿಕಳೆಂಜ).jpg|thumb|right|Preparations of the artist]]
Headgear and painted faces are the main attractions of kalenja's eco-friendly costume which is made of leaves and flowers. The person who masquerades as Kalenja makes the headgear using stems of [[Ixora coccinea]] (kepula in [[Tulu language]]). They adorn themselves with costumes made of tender palms of the coconut tree, anklets, colourful clothes and a long cap made up of [[Areca]] spate etc. The headgear, also called the mudi, is then decorated with flowers. They paint their face with different colours and designs.

The ‘skirt’ which flows down his waist is another piece of art. It is made of tender fronds of coconut and are interlaced with banana sheath strands. Later, he paints his face and hands in various colours and designs and gets ready for house visits. The image of Aati Kalenja, holding an umbrella of dry palm leaves, makes for a spectacular viewing.

== The Ritual ==
[[File:Aati Kalenja 01.JPG|thumb|318x318px|Aati Kalenja with accompanist]]
Aati Kalenja visits houses and carries out a ritual of sprinkling water mixed with [[Charcoal]], [[Turmeric powder]] and [[Tamarind]] to do away with any misfortune that might have befallen on the family and the cattle. He dances to the beats of the drum called ''tembere'' which is of very significance in culture of [[Tulu Nadu]].

Accompanist beats the drum and recites the song, ''"Aateek Baththe Aati Kalenja"'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/493155/healing-beats-aati-kalenja.html|title=Healing beats of Aati Kalenja|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> narrating the story of the spirit. As a reward for expunging the evil that surrounds, household members give him rice. Aati Kalenja is also considered as a traditional healer who at times dispenses medicinal herbs to overcome illness.

== Food ==
Ambade ([[Hog plum]]), Kanile ([[Bamboo shoot]]), Paagile (wild bitter gourd), Thojank ([[Cassia tora]]), Thimare (both wild greens), wild Jackfruit, drumstick leaves and [[Colocasia]] leaves are some of the locally available vegetables that are used in the season.

== In modern days ==
With changing times it is very different situation now, development, education, technology and increased employment opportunity has led to the disappearance of this ancient ritualistic folk dance. Reduction in paddy cultivation too contributed to the disappearance of the tradition. The This decade old ritual is on the verge on extinction.

[[Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy]] former president Vaman Nandavara said that Nalike community members in the city are not keen on continuing with the tradition as they get more job opportunity due to reservation and urbanization. ''"Parents of Nalike community members dress their children as Aati Kalenja and make them dance to the tunes of paddana (traditional Tulu songs) in front of houses. Nowadays, children too are hesitant as they concentrate on education"''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Aati-Kalenja-on-verge-of-extinction/articleshow/21480574.cms|title='Aati Kalenja' on verge of extinction - Times of India|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

In spite of it, Aati Kalenja remains an integral part of the folk culture of the [[Tulu Nadu]] region and one can witness this folk dance only in the interior pockets of [[Tulu Nadu]], during Aati days.

==See also==
* [[Bhuta Kola]]
* [[Yakshagana]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Aati-Kalenja-on-verge-of-extinction/articleshow/21480574.cms}}

==External links==
* [http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=644 Daijiworld]{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ByIfD1OL4 Aati Kalenja Video]

{{Culture of Tulunadu}}

[[Category:Indian folk dances]]
[[Category:Ritual dances]]
[[Category:Culture of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Culture of Tulu Nadu]]

Aati kalenja - Revision history

>Marcocapelle at 04:58, 6 July 2021