The contribution of Karnataka to the composite culture of India is no way inferior to that of any other region of India. Its contribution in the fields of art, music, religion and philosophy are exemplary.

Music in Karnataka

Karnataka's contribution to music is unparalleled. It developed a school of music that is called Karnatic School. Carnatic music spread all over south India and it is one of the two dominant musical styles in India.

Yakshagana

It is one of the two ancient and rich folk theatrical forms of Karnataka, the other being puppet theatre. Earlier, it was called 'Bayalata', 'Bhagavathara Ata' or 'Dashavatara aata'. It acquired its present name because these plays were written in the form of musical dramas and that particular style of music was called Yakshagana. This historic south Indian dance drama evolved 400 years ago. This powerful spectacle, somewhat similar to Kathakali of Kerala in costumes and vigorous dancing, is a potent mix of song, dance and dialogue. The Raga melodies in which Yakshagana songs are sung, belong to an older Dravidian style of music, as most of the names of Raga's are not found in the Carnatic System of music.

Dance in Karnataka

'Silappadikaram', the Tamil text, refers to a dance of the Kannadigas performed in the court of Chera king Senguttavan. An inscription in Pattadakal reveals that Devadasis were engaged in 'Nritya seva' in temples. Gangas, Rashtrakuta and the later Chalukyas were patrons of Dance. Bhandary Lakshminarayana, the Natyacharya in Krishnadevaraya's court, was called 'Abhinava Bharata'. Dancers were encouraged to perform during the annual Dasara celebrations by the Vijayanagar rulers. The Mysore court also encouraged traditional dance, following the footsteps of the Vijayanagar rulers.

Botada Kunita (Dance of the Divine Cult), Nagamandala and Demon Dance are some form of rituals celebrated Dakshina Kannada coastal area.

Folk in Karnataka

A folk theatre art form popular in Uttar Karnataka. It is a combination of Yakshagana and Byalatta with themes culled from the great epic Mahabharata. No less interesting is the Bhootha Aradhane or devil worship, very common in the coastal towns of Karnataka. Idols representing ‘bhoothas' are taken out in a procession to the beating of drums and bursting of firecrackers. As the procession ends, the idols are placed on a pedestal. The People of Dakshina Kannada perform an elaborate ritual called Nagamandala to appease the serpent spirit. It is conducted in an extravagant manner throughout the night, wherein dancers known as the Vaidyas dress themselves as nagakannikas and dance the night away.