Jun 06 2025 to Jun 06 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Discover the raw, immersive power of Doddata, a ritualistic folk theatre tradition from North Karnataka that fuses storytelling, spiritual invocation, music, and movement. Also known as Moodalakatte Bayalata, Doddata is a performance form rooted in village life, where the stage is sacred and every gesture resonates with centuries of lived belief. Presented by JK Kala Vedike, Hubballi and led by Ramesh, this evening offers an intimate and interactive introduction to a tradition where drama is both prayer and pedagogy.

Through live demonstrations and audience engagement, the session traces Doddata’s transformation from a ritual offering into a full-bodied dramatic experience. You’ll witness the vibrant Ranga Pooje (stage worship), learn about the significance of traditional instruments like the chende and maddale, and explore the layered symbolism of costume, mudras, and movement. The audience will be invited to participate through chanting invocations, mirroring expressive gestures, and stepping briefly into the performative world of gods, demons, kings, and jesters. The evening culminates in a 20-minute performance of Shalyarajana Saarathya, a tale from the Mahabharata, allowing audiences to experience the full emotional and spiritual arc of this powerful tradition.

Doddata is not just a theatrical form but a repository of memory, identity, and pedagogy, passed on through generations by rural communities. While modernisation poses challenges to its continuity, programs such as the one being presented, play a vital role in sustaining and revitalising this precious art form.

This is not just a performance, it’s an invitation to enter a space where art, ritual, and community converge. Whether you’re a lover of theatre, a student of culture, or simply curious about Karnataka’s rich traditions, Doddata promises a rare, resonant encounter with a living legacy.

This is the third performance of our series BIC Jaanapada.

BIC Jaanapada is a bi-monthly (once in two months) series celebrating Karnataka’s folk traditions through the lens of regional identity and cultural preservation. Curated in collaboration with Tvarita Arts Collective India, the program combines scholarly discourse with live performances to explore the deep connections between geography and artistic expression. Through demonstrations, performances, and academic discussions, each session examines how landscape and local culture have shaped these distinct artistic practices.