Kamsale
Encyclopedia
Kamsale is a unique folk art performed by the devotees of God Mahadeshwara. Kamsale is a brass made musical instrument. Its origin is traced to the Mythological period.
instrument
. These instruments are played in pairs. Its size is about a man's palm. They are throated at the centre. One which is convex in shape is held in one hand, very closely; (usually the left hand). The other one is held at length. (usually in the right hand). The artists in the Kamsale group vary from three to eight. If the Kamsale is accompanied by songs, the number of artists will be from 8 to 12.
district.
', 'Shivaratri' and 'Ugadi
' festivals.
worship. The artistes, drawn from Haalumatha Kuruba Gowda community. Who have vowed to live a life of devotion to Mahadeshwara are supposed to perform kamsale. The dance is a part of a 'diiksha' or oath
and is taught by teacher
or spiritual
leader. Kamsale Mahadevaiah of Mysore was a famous artist. He trained students at university level. In cultural exchange programme of India, he toured many countries and performed.
. Thus rhythm
is created of various patterns and tempos. Beesu Kamsale or Kamsale dance is a unique dance form in which religious fervour combines with martial
dexterity. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beatings are moved around the body
of the dancer in innumerable patterns manifesting both skill
and art. The main element in art is the rhythmic clang, which blends with the melodious music
of the Mahadeshwara epic. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beat, are moved around the body of the dancer in innumerable patterns manifesting both skill and art
. In a group movement the dancer provides the vision of a series of offensive
and defensive
manoeuvers, which is a testimony to the Kuruba
people being of Martial stock.
, Bangalore
, Chamarajanagar
and Mandya
region.
Instrument and Group
Kamsale is a RhythmRhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
. These instruments are played in pairs. Its size is about a man's palm. They are throated at the centre. One which is convex in shape is held in one hand, very closely; (usually the left hand). The other one is held at length. (usually in the right hand). The artists in the Kamsale group vary from three to eight. If the Kamsale is accompanied by songs, the number of artists will be from 8 to 12.
Background
'Kamsale' popularly known as 'Devaraguddas' are the disciples of Lord Mahadeshwara. Kamsale Mela is a popular folk song which deals with the history of 'Mahadeshwara' (worshipping deity) of Mahadeshwara hills, a renowned pilgrim centre, situated in ChamarajanagarChamarajanagar
Chamarajanagar is a town in the southern end of Karnataka, a state in India. It is also the headquarters of the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is named after Chamaraja Wodeyar IX , king of Mysore, who was born in the town...
district.
Literature
Kamsale artists are illiterates and have no printed literature. They learn those songs orally. They participate in fairs, which are held in Mahadeshwara hills during 'DiwaliDiwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
', 'Shivaratri' and 'Ugadi
Ugadi
Yugadi or Ugadi or "Samvatsradi" , Konkani/Marathi: युगादी yugādi, , formed by sandhi of yuga "age" and ādi "beginning": the beginning of an age) is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. It falls on the different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar...
' festivals.
Kuruba Gowda People
Kamsale is closely connected with a tradition of ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
worship. The artistes, drawn from Haalumatha Kuruba Gowda community. Who have vowed to live a life of devotion to Mahadeshwara are supposed to perform kamsale. The dance is a part of a 'diiksha' or oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
and is taught by teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
or spiritual
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
leader. Kamsale Mahadevaiah of Mysore was a famous artist. He trained students at university level. In cultural exchange programme of India, he toured many countries and performed.
Dress and Dance
The singing artists wear a special dress. The artists, with the Kamsale in the left hand, expose it to be hit by the Kamsale held in the right handHand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...
. Thus rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
is created of various patterns and tempos. Beesu Kamsale or Kamsale dance is a unique dance form in which religious fervour combines with martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
dexterity. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beatings are moved around the body
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
of the dancer in innumerable patterns manifesting both skill
Skill
A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...
and art. The main element in art is the rhythmic clang, which blends with the melodious music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
of the Mahadeshwara epic. The instruments, in the course of the vigorous rhythmic beat, are moved around the body of the dancer in innumerable patterns manifesting both skill and art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
. In a group movement the dancer provides the vision of a series of offensive
Offensive
Offensive may refer to:* Offensive , a political party* Offensive , an attack...
and defensive
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
manoeuvers, which is a testimony to the Kuruba
Kuruba
Kuruba / Kuruba Gowda or Kuruma is a caste of Hindus who mainly were shepherds in the past. The community is present in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. They are known as Dhangars in Maharashtra, Kurumba / Kurumans / Kurumbar in Tamil Nadu, Kuruba Gowda or Halumatha Gowda in...
people being of Martial stock.
Spread
The Kamsale dancers are found in the Kannada speaking areas of Mysore, KollegalKollegal
Kollegal is one of the major taluks in the Chamrajnagar District of Karnataka State in the south of India. Kollegal is well known for its silk industry which attracts traders from all over the state.-History:...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Chamarajanagar
Chamarajanagar
Chamarajanagar is a town in the southern end of Karnataka, a state in India. It is also the headquarters of the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is named after Chamaraja Wodeyar IX , king of Mysore, who was born in the town...
and Mandya
Mandya
Mandya is a city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of Mandya district and is located 40 km from Mysore and 100 km from Bangalore.-Etymology:...
region.