If you ever find yourself in the coastal folds of Karnataka, stay up late one night. Follow the sound of drums echoing through the palms. You’ll come upon a clearing lit by oil lamps, the air thick with incense and anticipation. And then, the moment: a man in fierce makeup, towering headgear, and bells on his ankles begins to move. He is slow at first, then faster, until the line between man and spirit blurs. That is Bhoota Kola!
The Mystical World Of Bhoota Kola
This centuries-old ritual belongs to the Tulu-speaking communities of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and parts of northern Kerala. The name translates loosely to “the play of the spirit.” But calling it a performance barely does it justice. Bhoota Kola is worship, theatre, and trance woven together; it’s a conversation between the living and the divine.
The spirits, or bhootas, are no distant gods. They are guardians of the land; they’re the protectors, ancestors, and sometimes even local heroes like Kallurti and Kalkuda, or nature-linked forces such as Panjurli, the wild boar deity. Every ritual follows a rhythm: the recitation of oral epics known as Paddanas, the deepening beat of drums, the scent of burning camphor, and finally the transformation. The performer, often from families like the Nalike, Pambada, or Parava, enters a trance, believed to be possessed by the spirit itself. From that moment, it is the deity who speaks, settling disputes, blessing the faithful, and guiding the community.
Also Read: Diwali On A Karnataka Plate: 6 Traditional Sweets And Snacks You Can’t Miss
Rituals, Music, And Trance: The Sacred Process Of Bhoota Kola
Bhoota Kola usually takes place between December and May, when the coastal air turns heavy and festive. It’s not a spectacle staged for outsiders; you won’t find tickets or schedules. The rituals unfold in village shrines or Daivastanas, where the community gathers year after year to keep the tradition alive.
Still, glimpses of it have reached beyond Karnataka. The Kannada film Kantara (2022) turned Bhoota Kola into a visual revelation, its fiery climax introducing millions to this mysterious ritual. It’s streaming on Amazon Prime Video if you want to see that raw power onscreen. For something closer to the real thing, filmmaker Deepak R. Hegde’s documentary KOLA (2025) on YouTube offers an unfiltered look at the people who carry this legacy.
Also Read: Karnataka Becomes India’s First State To Grant 12 Menstrual Leaves To All Women Employees
Bhoota Kola isn’t a show, it’s a dialogue between belief and belonging, land and legend, and human and divine. And if you ever watch it in person, under a canopy of flickering lamps, you’ll understand why the people of Tulu Nadu still bow when the drums begin.
Cover Image Courtesy: pramodshetty06/WikimediaCommons and primevideo