Permude: Celebration of Holi

Team Udayavani, Mar 30, 2019, 1:55 PM IST

Bajpe: The celebration of Holi festival which retains culture, tradition, language and art was celebrated for 9 days at Rama Gurikara’s home at Permude. Mr Rama in question belongs to the Kudubi society.

On Friday afternoon, God Mallikarjunna’s statue was taken in a procession made up of costumes, drums and instruments, from Rayabhari Honnayya Gowda’s house to Rama Gurikara’s home. At Gurikara’s house various programmes were organised including Gummata, Kola, kids Yakshagana dance and many other events, well into the dawn of Saturday.

Finally, while conducting the kola in the Kudubi Konkani language, the process of killing Ravana and saving Sita was held. After this, all those who have gathered throw the clothes that they had worn into the fire and go and take a bath. This signifies the purity of Sita. With this the Holi festival concludes.

The majority of the people belonging to the Kudubi community in the district can be mostly found at Mijar, Edapadavu, Kompadavu, Mucchur, Bajpe, Permude, Yekkar, Puttige, Kadandale, Siddakatte, Konaje and Kuttar.

The preparation for Holi festival begins from the day of Shivratri.

One ward has a 1 Gurikar, 1 Rayabhara and 5 family leaders. On the day of Shivratri, these 5 people are honoured by giving them the Gummata at the Gurikar’s house. On the very day, Holi festival begins. From that day onwards, the festival is celebrated at the Gurikar’s house until the coming full moon.

Holi celebration in every house

From the full moon day onwards, every house is visited in the evening and Holi is celebrated by the beating of the Gummata. A method is followed where in every house provides them with jaggery and coconuts.

On the same day, the decision on which day to celebrate the festival is taken at the Gurikar’s house. The decision is taken to celebrate holi festival on odd dates of 3, 5, 7, 9 from the full moon day.

A girl beneath the age of 18 years is selected to represent Sita.