---
title: "Documenting Karnataka's Living Folk Traditions"
description: "Explore the deep-rooted folk traditions and rituals of Karnataka. Join me in documenting the stories, cultural context, and living history of our land."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/cultural-fieldwork-documenting-living-traditions
last_updated: 2025-09-06
---

# Documenting Karnataka's Living Folk Traditions

Tribe Verified · 25 years documenting Karnataka's folk traditions.

By [Sneha Kappanna](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna) · Consultations in JP Nagar; Projects across India · ₹40K per event (estimate)

Part of [Folk Dance Consultancy & Curation](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/gallery)

I travel across Karnataka to witness rituals like Bhoota Kola and Nagamandala in their native environments. This fieldwork is where my research begins and where the stories of our land truly come alive.

## Photos and videos

- ![A Bhoota Kola performer in Kundapura, fully adorned and ready for the ritual. Witnessing the transformation of the artist as the 'daiva' or spirit enters them is a profound experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/35fddb4b-5d15-4dfd-8cbf-41dd99a57296)
- ![Participants at a Kambala event in Mangalore, leading their prized buffaloes. This folk sport is a celebration of the agrarian community's bond with their animals and land.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/940ec1bb-3449-4eab-a5bd-55ca359ed3ba)
- ![The 'Hase Karaga' emerges, a moment of intense devotion during the Bengaluru Karaga festival. My fieldwork involves documenting the intricate rituals and stories behind these urban and rural traditions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/746b72c2-473c-4242-95f9-93e116d73f5d)
- ![A Soliga tribal priest walking on a bed of hot coals during the 'Roti Habba' at Biligiri Rangana Betta. This ritual of faith is a powerful testament to their connection with nature and their deities.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d171fca4-272b-4017-a72e-413918066dc9)
- ![The surviving painted ceiling panel at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi. My research involves studying not just dance, but also the allied arts like painting and sculpture that provide context to our traditions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fbe7de32-b2de-4799-9b5a-d7da4641a460)
- ![A traditional Kavadi, an embellished bamboo structure carried by devotees in Palani. My journey with Kavadi Attam began in school, and visiting its place of origin was a full-circle moment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bba8beda-525d-4ceb-9e4e-6c84575d994d)
- ![A vibrant Nagamandala, a sacred geometric pattern drawn on the ground for the worship of the serpent gods in the Tulu Nadu region. These mandalas are complex spiritual and mathematical representations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/10c42cbc-244e-484c-8e5a-7d1401ac2689)
- ![The traditional 'bugdi' earring of a local lady in Kallur village. My travel logs often focus on these small but significant details of adornment, costume, and culture that tell a larger story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a509a123-420d-4617-bbf0-3d16a7f2931f)
- ![A 'patri' possessed by the Naga daiva during a Nagamandala ritual, his face smeared with the intoxicating 'hombale' flower. This is a raw, powerful form of worship that I document.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aebf866e-7569-4311-99e8-5304b097bf3d)
- [Video: The Nagamandala ritual in progress, with the patri and vaidyas dancing in circles to invoke the serpent deity. The movements are codified and symbolic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6039d72a-9daf-4166-aae2-41878621b0d7)
- ![The vaidyas and other ritual participants at the Nagamandala, a tradition deeply rooted in the Tuluva belief that snakes are the original owners of the coastal land.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/170af696-52c6-4a1c-b125-a61563008de7)
- [Video: The 'hombale influx' at the Nagamandala, where the patri buries himself in areca flowers, convulsing from their heady fragrance. It is a physically and spiritually intense ritual.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5f36b053-adeb-4570-b0b5-ec716b43af1e)
- ![The stage, or 'mantapa,' decorated with massive amounts of flowers and 'hombale' for the all-night Nagamandala ceremony.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/faaa19c5-f66f-4786-84c8-881de54e752d)
- ![The grand, illuminated stage set for the Nagamandala, with a large cobra motif, drawing thick crowds who wait patiently for hours.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/67cc524a-10c1-4359-864c-cf5e5c7f10f2)
- ![The audience at the Madarati temple, where the story of the five serpent-sisters is central to the local lore.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4c0be6c3-4d41-42bd-98b3-7d5d1f8fc8cf)
- ![The main goddess murthi at Madarati, placed in front of an anthill or 'hutha,' signifying the deep-rooted snake worship in the region.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb450704-5e3f-43b7-9a41-577648db278a)
- ![The bustling 'jatre' or fair outside the Madarati temple at night, a vibrant part of any temple festival in Karnataka.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f512189b-fb36-47cf-b652-73e5bbf7633f)
- ![The audience gathered for the Nagamandala, a ritual that often continues until the early hours of the morning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/49dd7e4f-c018-4347-aca8-19fbb7fa120a)
- ![The entrance arch for the 'Ashtavidha Nagamandala' festival, decorated with serpent motifs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0d4ae90b-dcda-42ec-84b6-cd7eaa703c01)
- ![A close-up of the deity at the Madarati temple, adorned with flowers and silver coverings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1f08aa2d-aa42-4f79-aacd-86e92b14db8d)
- ![A 'Hase Chitra' painting from Srivante village, a rural line-drawing art of Karnataka, which hangs in my living room. These art forms are interconnected with dance and ritual.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/35fe68c7-8843-47ab-b09b-6afd8dce1082)
- ![A line drawing of the Sri Chakra, a complex mandala with immense spiritual meaning, which I study to understand the geometric principles in our arts.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/84801161-0e56-4b0e-8927-e901d7ffcb10)
- ![My own forearm, showing a traditional 'Acche' tattoo of Karnataka. This is a personal connection to the symbolic patterns I research.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/58ce5fa2-194d-4821-9084-13f3a89e4d99)
- ![A three-dimensional Sri Yantra, another form of sacred geometry that holds consecrated energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aa5ab783-f93f-4af0-9b4a-32fb5cf78a88)
- [Video: More visuals from the Nagamandala, capturing the energy of the performers and the devotion of the audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f2d78698-049a-440b-899a-d78443f0d401)
- ![A champion buffalo adorned for the Gurupura Kambala. These animals are revered and can cost up to 30 lakhs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/238580f4-93da-4cc0-843a-b0195d6b787b)
- [Video: The handlers, men with chiseled bodies and extraordinary strength, lead the buffaloes to the starting line of the Kambala track.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2eb76a57-f422-41e1-a181-e406c4a9ecd4)
- ![A close-up of a Kambala buffalo, showing the intricate, colorful harness used during the race.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9184cadf-ea79-46d9-9bc7-87a103d46fa0)
- [Video: The excitement and chaos at a Kambala event, with a large crowd and musicians creating a festive atmosphere.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4b4afa8-1a8c-4f66-8166-384cb25d49da)
- ![The audience gathered at a 'garadi' to witness a Bhoota Kola performance, which often lasts the entire night.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6913ef4a-63b0-45b3-82ae-9c59b2bc7341)
- ![Bhoota Kola artists beginning their elaborate makeup and costume process, which can take hours.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/de66048b-3d7c-4806-9f53-082154bdbcb1)
- ![Artists applying the distinct yellow face paint for the Dhumavati kola, using a small mirror.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0565f6e4-b5b4-46e0-9637-82b23f106ea0)
- ![The fully costumed Dhumavati daiva, an androgynous deity with both male and female attributes, a unique aspect of this particular Kola.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89edaf2f-7738-4cc0-a497-3a2421f44d7b)
- ![The performers praying to their anklets before the dance begins, a ritual to seek permission and blessings from the daiva.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8b937be1-1eb9-4994-bf0b-7e4ade4f171e)
- ![A student dance performance at the Kotilingeshwara temple in Kundapura, a place that integrates dance and music into its premises.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7529c133-8410-4554-81ba-9e4ea2744672)
- ![Musicians performing keertanas during a pallaki seva at the Vittal temple in Kundapura.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/af73089a-0998-4828-b57c-670af9599f91)
- !['Kallu,' one of the two 'eternal' buffaloes of the Vandaru mane, who are believed to have supernatural senses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f2dca7f6-ae7e-42a1-ac65-00448dff9f0e)
- ![A giant 12-foot anthill worshipped as 'swamy' at the Vandaru mane, another example of the importance of snake worship in Tulu Nadu.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dcb56dda-c920-4334-a6eb-046a210475c4)
- !['Belli,' the other sacred buffalo of the Vandaru mane, who officially opens the Kambala by racing in the wee hours of the morning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4ba26990-8ddd-4013-9f09-0d3158b44ed1)
- ![The seven stone idols representing the Pandavas and Lord Shiva at the Mitileshwara temple, linked to the local legend of the Kambala.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4440ad5-f131-4e82-9ad1-c3385ecf9098)
- ![The symbolic well at the Mitileshwara temple, where a dinosaur-like creature was once believed to live.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/93ee0f90-c0ee-408e-ab03-08fedd06b1ff)
- ![A mural of a dinosaur-like creature, the 'mitili,' which according to local lore, carried the Pandavas to this spot.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f5da466-7696-4c60-a76b-ce0b1d77921c)
- ![The altar of the Mitileshwara God, the reigning spirit of the Vanduru Kambala, worshipped with fruits and flowers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d11cfe1-30d4-409a-8ca4-d09f62b10963)
- ![Phase 3 of the Dhumavati Kola, where the performer is fully adorned with a large silver mask and chest plate, holding a sword and bell.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c53f432a-9e49-4ffe-b201-234dff2c6cd6)
- ![Another view of the Dhumavati daiva, showcasing the impressive silver ornamentation and the skirt made of green areca leaves.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5ec66adc-0c56-40bf-9cde-19142b1da63e)
- [Video: The ritualistic dance of the Dhumavati Kola, where the performer is seated and moved by attendants, signifying a later phase of the ceremony.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9427a494-3817-4aaa-9674-4b6c1ee9613b)
- [Video: Phase 2 of the Bhoota Kola, a high-energy dance with the green leaf skirt, showcasing incredible stamina and acrobatic movements.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/19900ded-72c0-4a60-bfb7-71369528cba2)
- [Video: Phase 1 of the Bhoota Kola, where the dancers, in red costumes, begin the ritual with twitching movements as the daiva enters their bodies.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8bc5b55d-6bfe-4f67-b7ee-18ba53783b93)
- ![The 10-acre ancestral field, the 'Kambala gadde,' where hundreds of villagers gather to fulfill their vows by racing their buffaloes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/74d0c395-99c9-4afa-830d-8687e4ab4969)
- ![The serene and vast Kambala field at Vandaru, where the muddy water is considered 'tirtha' or holy water.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8bc4b62c-2f61-4d08-9f96-aee747f3ead7)
- [Video: A buffalo and its runner splashing through the muddy track of the Vandaru Kambala, their reflections shimmering in the water.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d77edea7-8ac8-41fa-8a45-931251fbfff2)
- [Video: A close-up of a pair of buffaloes racing, kicking up water as they thunder down the track, cheered on by crowds.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c5b2879b-60f7-435e-94cf-0de35d592da6)
- [Video: A runner, or 'Kambala jockey,' in a powerful stance, ready to sprint alongside his buffaloes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/653c9cf9-0ab4-4044-91cb-2fb9df729a77)
- ![The official banner for the historic Vandaru Kambala, a key cultural event in the Kundapura region.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bcaf3a85-c9c4-4fff-9541-a3cbae7e3293)
- [Video: Captures from Ragi Kanna, a weekly event promoting sustainability, where I participated in a folk procession.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ea9a2de-de63-4274-a1e0-a927b8d13890)
- ![The magnificent temple chariot and gopuram of the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8a68fda7-0c82-44f9-836d-e8d233b3d063)
- ![The stone temple tank or 'kalyani' at Hampi, an integral part of the temple complex's architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/28b040a2-8d37-4e5f-800f-94d30de85c39)
- ![The interior of the Virupaksha temple, with its intricately carved stone pillars and surviving ceiling paintings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2b0eea15-343a-49f6-9a23-38cb5502f179)
- ![A monkey, part of the famed 'Kishkinda' landscape, runs through the ancient stone corridors of Hampi.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1e29d7ef-1998-4bbb-92e2-5cad5754eaa5)
- ![The fascinating pinhole camera effect at Hampi, which projects an inverted shadow of the main temple gopuram.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2afc3ce-a0c4-4f52-b61d-4c2c2cfcf33b)
- ![The monolithic Sasivekalu Ganapathi statue at Hampi, humorously named 'mustard seed' Ganapathi despite its giant size.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1d911d26-ea35-438d-b618-679b13f32267)
- ![An intricately carved lathe-turned pillar in a Hoysala temple in Hassan, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the era.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04c3d1a8-03fb-4a4a-aac5-9f5971441685)
- ![The breathtaking concentric-ringed ceiling of a temple in Belur, a hallmark of Hoysala architecture and a testament to their understanding of geometry and art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c98df220-c700-4e07-8d09-179ee26c4cbb)
- ![A detailed stone carving on the outer wall of a temple in Halebidu, depicting mythological scenes with incredible precision.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4cb91c4a-fcfc-4840-8085-2764e8d565a7)
- ![Standing on the steps of a Hoysala temple, a place that is an ode to dance, yet where classical dance photography is ironically restricted.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4a4f328-a0c5-46ce-a4c8-6233598d90b7)
- ![Inside a Belur temple, under the magnificent carved ceiling. These monuments are a source of immense inspiration and learning for any dancer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3d3ef849-e466-4425-8883-7cd574eb6ebf)
- [Video: Devotees arriving with 'baginas,' traditional offerings in bamboo platters, for the Agasara halli jatre near Belur.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/63afeeb3-3299-4ae8-9699-66c07c9c4735)
- ![The massive crowd gathered at the Agasara halli jatre, a village deity festival that happens in the wee hours of the morning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/54fa0e9f-dc23-4f3c-b391-afff5778d2c6)
- [Video: A field filled with thousands of baginas, a spectacular sight, as the deities are brought to bless the offerings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/54b9f277-ba39-4cab-b8ca-a901a18c991f)
- ![A devotee holding bananas as an offering, waiting for the deities to pass during the jatre.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/70b9a7d3-74fb-4e27-9303-cad830028231)
- [Video: A deity, carried by a priest, dancing energetically amidst the crowd at the 'koli kugovag nadeyo jatre' (the festival that happens when the rooster crows).](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c1f52665-118c-41ee-8613-434bf2036688)
- ![The massive crowd at the Bengaluru Karaga, an ocean of people squeezed into the lanes of Thigalarpet to witness the goddess.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e4bdd3a-404e-4865-a0c4-cbb4cbf5c832)
- ![Rituals in progress at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple before the Karaga procession begins.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d213bf5d-fc4f-47dd-b70f-3c3f3be35449)
- ![My fellow storyteller Aparna and I waiting for the Karaga, after interviewing one of the main Ganacharis of the temple.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3c687d0c-fdcd-470f-b091-5d11c7557b49)
- ![Standing before the beautifully illuminated Dharmaraya Swamy temple and its chariot on the night of the Karaga.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3a591a8-fa59-4de3-9268-3919cee54cb0)
- ![With Sri G.P. Devraj, a main Ganachari of the temple, who shared invaluable stories and insights about the Karaga rituals.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0d9ed11e-66f4-44fc-a016-b6712622c14f)
- ![The temple chariot being washed and prepared for the grand procession, a ritual in itself.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf0db59a-12de-467b-8214-e82e549f0f34)
- [Video: A storyteller I met at the Karaga, narrating the Mahabharata to her young niece, keeping the oral tradition alive amidst the festival's chaos.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23120f62-6ec3-443e-a281-c587f8b79d2e)
- [Video: The elaborate decorations and vibrant atmosphere inside and outside the Dharmaraya Swamy temple during the Karaga festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/34cd1398-27c0-4936-983c-20d3b9228231)
- ![With folk singer Sri C.M. Narasimha Murthy and my father at the 'Bale Mantapa' in Chamarajanagara. Good company makes fieldwork a joy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f978172f-1efb-450f-9893-10d873c39c4a)
- ![The unique stone-carved bangles or chains at 'Bale Mantapa,' which give the hall its name. They are carved from a single stone without joints.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/83339726-9062-4a6a-b313-d56e7ca17559)
- ![A beautiful sculpture of a couple in a loving embrace on a pillar at Bale Mantapa, showcasing the artistic skill of the sculptors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ae674dcd-1b0d-4817-88c5-8bcd6afce63c)
- ![The 'dance night' at the Roti Habba, where the entire Soliga community, young and old, dances in circles for hours.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ed5ab5b2-b23a-4bf0-b435-f8b7fb325a55)
- ![Preparing the 'konda' or bed of hot coals for the fire-walking ritual.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/517b933a-039a-4efd-bd15-34cfc164a15b)
- ![After the fire-walking, the entire community of over 5000 people sits down in disciplined rows for a community meal.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b26ec736-d661-4831-abae-4a325b98b0b6)
- ![The faces of the young Soliga tribe members, filled with joy and energy during their all-night dance festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e2d4ac9-1082-4baf-a612-60c4fb243094)
- ![A 'Raggi Roti,' baked in an open fire, which is offered to the deities during the Soliga's Roti Habba.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/08597355-1a63-4724-a1b7-ff3ffd6512cc)
- ![A typical house in a Soliga 'hadi' or hamlet, in the Biligiri Rangana Betta region.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b48f1a87-c1b2-4874-85d2-c4dabf9cea01)
- ![The procession of deities during the Roti Habba, where a stampede was narrowly avoided.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab79c6fc-5844-426c-84ac-87dc30d16dd0)
- ![The long procession of the Soliga tribe, walking through the forest roads for their festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3d725ed0-bdb7-4402-bdc4-e796777b98b1)
- ![A closer view of the procession, showing the vibrant colors and the sheer number of people participating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dcf650fb-0549-428f-abfe-bfe0ed231299)
- ![My family and I walking on the road decorated with rangoli for the festival, just before the bee attack and stampede.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a9b8efc-dce3-47ba-a721-1315d9d1eefd)
- ![The procession winding its way along a lake, a beautiful but tense moment during my fieldwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51361168-6048-4117-93bc-d90501d6ee85)
- ![The front of the procession, with deities carried under colorful umbrellas and men brandishing symbolic sticks.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/043cc95d-0eab-4163-83eb-97675e3ec769)
- ![The 'ganacharis' or priests, possessed by the spirit, leading the procession with intense energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/03136b26-37de-4974-9b15-fcd7a0309739)
- ![The procession seen from a distance, a long line of devotion snaking through the forest.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0256c2c8-0a3e-4fd8-8988-9594ef6219a6)
- ![The entrance to the Kadu Basappa temple, where the Roti Habba rituals take place.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23bd3a93-4647-4341-b9e1-58fadb3cf4fb)
- [Video: Rituals inside the temple during the Roti Habba, with priests and devotees in a trance-like state.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec9c4ad9-8cab-45ee-a4f6-4b7bd378105a)
- ![Standing on a rangoli drawn on the road for the Roti Habba. The Soligas' connection to the earth is profound, and they traverse these forests barefoot.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71e9e513-5c07-41cf-9b82-75e6144a0552)
- ![The decorated altar for the Soliga deities, set up under a tree. Their worship is deeply connected to nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e4147ca4-7f74-4e9c-90b0-8ad78fa4fbe6)
- ![The procession of deities, symbolized by colorful umbrellas and flags, is the centerpiece of the Roti Habba.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/75568ecb-9264-4295-8367-fcbc923c6f96)
- ![An elaborate rangoli on the ground, part of the preparations for the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2e9b1965-9c22-44ef-a713-df2a698ed954)
- ![The sheer scale of the procession, with thousands of Soliga tribe members participating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0d92fbc6-cabb-4a08-8739-693b68a86faf)
- ![The feet of the Soligas, who walk barefoot, feeling the energy of the earth from their soles to their souls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6f168af4-fab5-40f8-9efa-36b74ef0a942)
- ![The procession moving through the forest, a powerful display of community and faith.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a80fbf5e-0da4-4cf2-8eb2-7a28cf76f68b)
- ![The simple, open-air temple where the Soligas gather to worship during their festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1e5becd5-aca5-488d-998d-66e3f9c6b216)
- [Video: A glimpse of the vibrant and energetic procession of the Soligara Roti Habba.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cce84b52-2221-4c02-bb7e-d81cb62b8771)

## About Cultural Fieldwork: Documenting Living Traditions

When I document a ritual like Nagamandala or the Bengaluru Karaga, I am not just observing, I am mapping the connection between the community and their roots. My fieldwork takes me from the intense, coal-walking rituals at Biligiri Rangana Betta to the quiet geometric precision of Tulu Nadu's mandalas. Whether you are looking for academic research, cultural curation, or simply need an authentic perspective for your next project, my approach is always to go straight to the source, ensuring every performance or story I share is grounded in its original truth.

Fieldwork is not a passive task. It is an act of preservation. When I stand in the middle of a temple courtyard in Mangalore or walk the hills of Kallur, I am looking for the details that history books often miss—the way the Hombale flower is amassed to create a sacred wall, or how the patri convulses when the spirit enters, or the specific cadence of the Vaidya's song. 

My documentation process is three-fold:

* **Immersion:** I live the ritual, whether it is an all-night Nagamandala ceremony or a simple village fair. This allows me to understand the rhythm of the community, not just the steps of the dance.
* **Analysis:** I connect these visual rituals back to their origins. My book, 'Nrutya Beru', is a result of this deep-dive research into why these traditions exist and how they have evolved.
* **Translation:** My role is to bridge the gap between the rural practitioner and the urban audience. I help you translate these complex rituals into understandable, respectful experiences for your events, exhibitions, or academic papers.

I do not just present a performance; I present a context. If you are curating an event that requires more than just entertainment, or if you need a researcher who understands the pulse of Karnataka's traditions, let us talk about how we can bring this authenticity to your project.

## About Sneha Kappanna

I am Sneha. My world revolves around the stories, rhythms, and rituals of Karnataka. My work is not just about dance, it is about keeping our living traditions breathing and relevant. If you are looking to bring the real, raw heart of our culture to your event or research, I am here to help.

[See all of Sneha Kappanna's services](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna)

## More from Folk Dance Consultancy & Curation by Sneha Kappanna

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/featured)
- [Event Curation & Large-Scale Productions](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/event-curation-large-scale-productions)
- [Academic Contributions & Publications](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/academic-contributions-publications)
- [Performances & Choreography](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/performances-choreography)
- [Workshops & Mentorship](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/workshops-mentorship)
- [My Journey: Roots & Milestones](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/my-journey-roots-milestones)
- [Media Features & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/folk-dance-consultancy-curation/media-features-collaborations)

## More services by Sneha Kappanna

- [Theatre, Storytelling & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/theatre-storytelling-workshops)

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