Kantara: Myth vs Reality? | ಕಾಂತಾರದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇರುವ ಬೂತಾ ಕೋಲ ಏನು? | Bhoota Kola | Karnataka Folklore

From Dharmasthala to Kantavara, the legend of Bhoota Kola runs deep through the forests and coasts of Karnataka and the Karnataka folklore. Long before Kantara took the world by storm — and with Kantara Chapter 1 now expanding its universe — Bhoota Kola was already a living theatre: part spiritual ritual, part social conscience, part art. The question becomes: ಕಾಂತಾರದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇರುವ ಬೂತಾ ಕೋಲ ಏನು?

In this episode of Noorakke Nooru Karnataka, we explore the real tradition that inspired Rishab Shetty’s Kantara films — the Daiva Aradhane (spirit worship) of Tulu Nadu.

Umashanker Periodi from the Azim Premji Foundation along with Shraddha Jain takes us through the origins and meaning of this centuries-old ritual where faith, justice, and performance intertwine.

And they discuss:
What is Kola and what is Nema?
Why is Bhoota Kola called a spiritual theatre?
How do the spirits act as counsellors, healers, and guardians of justice in their villages?

Step into the world where myth meets memory, and where Kantara’s cinematic vision finds its roots in living belief.

#Kantara #KantaraChapter1 #RishabShetty #DaivaAradhane #Panjurli #BhootaKola #TuluNadu #DakshinaKannada #KannadaCulture #NoorakkeNooruKarnataka #FolkTradition #IndianFolklore #RishabShettyKantara #KantaraExplained #SpiritWorship #PanjurliDaiva #kantarastory

Video Credits
‪@NaveenKatapady‬
‪@sanjananinjoor‬
‪@gaggaraaround16holyrituals‬
‪@NagarajBhat‬
‪@TulunadaTudar1‬

Credits
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Kruthika Rao, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Seshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

Special thanks to Umashanker Periodi for being part of the episode.