Author: K. Hari Kumar
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Do you know the stories behind the Spirit deities of Tulu Nadu?
The famous Kola performances of Tulu Nadu involve dancers who invite
powerful, sacred spirits to possess them. Through the performers, and
surrounded by vibrant colours and striking visuals, these spirits - known as
Daiva - may settle disputes, provide guidance, grant blessings and pass
judgement. However, there is so much more to it than art and devotion. From
Panjurli, the benevolent boar spirit to Bobbarya, guardian of the sea, this
book explores it all: the kinds of Daiva, their stories, their individual
natures and the ways in which they come to inhabit the devout. In Daiva,
bestselling author K Hari Kumar, brings you stories of powerful immortals along
with details of their worship through mystifying rituals - all of which are
known to leave onlookers awe-struck.
Non-fiction is not a genre of books I usually pick up, but when Hari comes up with one, the book deserves to be read. The book is divided into 2 sections. The first one “In Search of Satyolu” highlights the path and the research that Hari did to find the stories behind the second section, “The Stories of Satyolu.” The book is extremely well researched and I loved the passion that comes out from the writing in the book. Hari explores the culture of Tulu Nadu and while he explores the region and the stories of worship of the local spirit deities. The first half of the book also talks about the Tulu language and its current status in the country. Hari delves into each aspect of spirit worship, right from the difference between the spirits, the root of various words and how performance is an important part of the spirit worship in the region. One chapter that captivated my attention specifically was the one where the parts of the Kola performance have been explained. The detailed description keeps you intrigued and personally, I am now intrigued to experience atleast one Kola performance to understand the spirituality it represents. The significance of each aspect, each part of the entire performance, right from the materials being used to the way it is experienced was quite an eye-opener for me. Another aspect of the book is its personalization. The book is based on Hari’s experiences and his travels blended along with the local tales, and this is what made the book stand apart. His experiences and commentary are as important to the book as the research and the folk stories because that is what adds the flavor to the book, the connection with the present times. Hari also makes space to present sources for his research, as well as anecdotal evidence he encounters during his search for the stories. This adds a volume of credibility to the book.
Coming back to the book, reading a non-fiction title can become tedious at
times due to its reliance on information, however something opposite happens in
Daiva. As a reader, you are so invested in journeying along with Hari that you
become a part of the book, and suddenly start experiencing the emotions that
Hari presents time-to-time as a part of his travels. Another aspect that adds
to the readability of the book is that it is divided into clear sections and
you can take pre-defined breaks without losing track or the information.
The book is a wonderful peek into the culture of Tulu Nadu and the world
of spirit worship. Living in cities and towns, we sometimes lose the very
identity that makes us who we are, and this is an excellent example of how
there are stories all around us which deserve to be told, and all we need is an
inquisitive mind and drive to tell them. Daiva is a book that deserves to be
read by all, to dispel some myths and preconceptions, as well as to understand
an integral part of our own culture. The book is a 5/5 for me.
Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore. (I got mine from a bookstore!)
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