Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Hindus of Nagashittikop village in
Hubli district of Karnataka observes Muharram by making their dance as Tigers. Several
children got themselves painted with red, black and bright yellow colour so as
to be a part of the “Huli Kunita” tradition- basically a tiger dance observed as
a part of Muharram ceremonies in the village with negligible presence of
Muslims.
Every year Hindu families worship “Panja”(
Representing the Holy Five i.e. Prophet Muhammad(PBUH),his daughter Bibi
Fatima, His son-in-Law Hazrat Ali and grandchildren Imam Hasan and Hussain) for
a week after sighting Muharram crescent).on Yaum-E-Ashura,10th day of Muharram,
they carry ‘Panja’ in a procession and also walk on fire. Enroute Hindu
families invite processionists with the relic and make offerings.
They also take vow before Panja and
promise to make offerings if their wish is fulfilled. They have no idea as to
how and when their participation began in Muharram ceremonies but say with
certainty that it must have been started centuries ago. Like Janmashtmi and
other Hindu festivals, Tiger dance teams painted with yellow strips also become
visible during Muharram. It is believed that teams don’t mind spending lakhs of
rupees on costumes only.
Tiger dance is quite popular in
coastal areas of Karnataka. It is believed to have originated in Udupi
District and has penetrated into Mangalore,Kundapur,Moodabidri and parts of
Tamilnadu as well. People throng in
large number to wartch Tiger Dance.(Source:ANI/Wikipedia/Photo Courtesy Google Images)
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