Author – Onti Rabadae
Translation – Mithun, Nischith G
Tulunad is a land with many dance forms and each dance has its own set of beliefs and obligations. Purser Vēsha is one such dance form. Purser Vēsha is a dance that expresses all the dances of Tulunad and the professions together in a funny way. The dancer is also known as the Kadireda Purser. This is known as the Purser Vesha for wearing varieties of disguises.
They visit each house in their village and make people laugh with their dance. While passing from home to home, they say “dimisōlae” on the way. It is believed that this song should not be sung on any occasion other than the occasion of this dance. It is believed that whatever they do to make people laugh, it is dedicated to the Lord Manjunatha of Kadri and there is nothing wrong with doing this. It is believed that the God of Kadri temple protects them from any calamity that occurs and will take away the hardships that have come to the city.
Closing ceremony of this dance is performed on Māyida Puṇṇamè (Full moon day of Tulu month Maayi). Rituals are performed in front of a heap of flatened rice. All those who took part in this dance prior must be present during this event. Out of the donations recieved, a part is taken out to submit to Kadri temple, the rest is given to the local temple and spent on any noble cause in the village. Bajil (flattened rice) used in the worship is distributed among the attendees as Prasaada (Blessed food).
As with all Tulunad-style dances, the number of people performing this dance is drastically reduced. It is performed only in a few villages of Bolther, Puttur, and Sullia locations.