BRIEF ABOUT NEMA
Bandara Yeruni
Starts around 3 pm
The face masks of all the Daivas alongwith gold and silver embellishments (belonging to the Daivas) are carried in a palanquin elaborately embellished in silver, with the sound of traditional band in the background, from the sanctum which is inside the Aerya Beedu heritage house to the Central courtyard and is placed on the specially created platform called the Singadana. A few rituals, homa etc will follow.
01
Marl Mysandaya Nema
Starts around 4 pm and will last for about 45 mins
First Nema is for one of the Parivara Daivas namely Marl Mysandaya. The form of the face mask is that of a bull / ox. The Daiva Nartaka (the rightful person from the Pambada community who invokes the Deity) will be dressed with Thiri (finely slit tender coconut leaves) around his waist and Ani (a triangular shaped wooden framework decked up with thiri, crafted banana stem slits etc) tied to his back. He wears the face mask on his head and his
face is lightly coloured in white.
02
Marl Jumaadi Nema
Starts around 5:15 pm and will last for about 45 mins
The second Nema is for another Parivara Daiva - Marl Jumaadi. The face is painted yellow. He wears a gold and silver head gear, Thiri around his waist and has a rectangular Ani embellished with Thiri and crafted banana stem slits.
03
Annappa Swamy/
Gaggaradecchi
Starts around 6:30 pm and lasts for about 1 hr
This is the first segment of the Annappa Swamy Nema, The Daiva Nartaka who invokes Lord Annappa Swamy is decked up in red attire, beautifully decked up with thiri and wears ornamental gold and silver headgear. TheNema commences by adorning the gaggara i.e large anklet made of panchaloha with loose beads inside and the sound it produces is simply magical. Immediately after gaggara is worn the Daiva Nartaka goes into a trance as he invokes the Diety. This is the most impactful, mesmerising & worshipful stage of the entire festival.
Annappa Swamy then enters the Narthana (dance) stage when some of the most vibrant dance moves are performed. This is the most lively, spirited and attractive segment of the festival.
Anitechhi /
Mugatamecchi
This is the second segment of the Annappa Swamy Nema, the Daiva Nartaka wears ornamental gold mask above his head, an ornate gold & silver headgear and a half oval shaped Ani decked with attractive silver embellishments bedecked with Gower strings. Another Ani called the
Jakkaleni, fully made of silver, is tied to His waistline in front which protrudes horizontally. Here again different types of types of Nartanas are performed but the dance moves are most dignified, less vibrant, slower and at a measured
pace.
Then the Nema progresses into different stages like bolgode seve, parikrama of Tulasi Katte etc
Singaradecchi/
Alankardecchi
This is the third segment of Annappa Swamy Nema. At this stage the Daiva Nartaka is further embellished with gold & silver necklaces and Goral garlands but without the face mask. At this stage the Deity delivers the Nudigattu – the history of the Deity in Tulu.
After some dignified narthana sequences the Daiva enters the Aerya Beedu sanctum building to receive milk from the family, narrates Nudigattu again and also blesses the family through the eldest female member of the family. Then the Daiva comes back to the courtyard where the sacred court of justice is held , if needed. The Nema ends after blessings, Abhaya and distribution of prasada.
04/05
Jumaadi & Bunta Bootha
Starts at 12:30 am (post midnight) and lasts for about 1 hour
The 4th and the 5th Nemas are for Jumaadi & Bunta and they are performed together. Jumaadi is decked up with a simple Ani while Bunta does not have an Ani. But both are decked up with Thiri. There are some attractive dance sequences and also some entertaining comical elements of the Bunta.
Bhandara Japudavuni
Starts at 1:30 am and the festivities end
After the Nemas for all the 5 Deities are over, the Bhandara is taken back to the sanctum to its original place inside the Aerya Beedu heritage house. And that is the end of Nema festivities.
Pictures speak louder
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Aerya Beedu