Dollu Kunitha is a long standing and enduring dance form of Karnataka performed expansively by Kuruba Gowda community of Northern Karnataka which is impressively and grandiosily characterized by large drums, labyrinthine and sinuous proficient maneuvering, metrical and pulsating fluctuations during religious and cultural festivities. Dollu Kunitha is convoluted and coiled with the esteemed deification and homage to Lord Beereshwara (other name of Lord shiva) and the anointed and hallowed drum used in this liturgy is considered as the channel for the mystical tie during the ceremonies of adoration. In all the temples of Lord Beereshwara , the arch instrument dollu is dangled down tied to a thick twine from the ceiling. Everytime the veneration and reverence is made to Lord shiva, this Dollu is played impetuously and briskly.

The legend of ‘Halumatha Purana’ or Kuruba purana has it that this dance form germinated from the mythological folklore of Dollu asura who bessched the spiritual privilege of immortality or special honor of swallowing Lord shiva for the self immolation he has taken upon himself. Lord shiva rebuffed and turned down this audacious and impertinent plea of Dollu asura. Inundated with rancour and antagonism Dollu Asura devoured Lord Shiva. Lord shiva retaliated by magnifying amazingly to a stalwart size inside the stomach of Dollu asura. Not being able to withstand the pain asura implored pity from Lord shiva and to spare him from this great agony and torment by coming out. Lord shiva slit open his body and came out.Lord Shiva used the hide of the asura for creating a two sided dollu and gave it to the rustic devotees of Halu Kuruba tribe. Halu Koruba community of shimoga observe this spiritual tradition even today. Dollu Kunitha is also addressed as’ Beeralingeshwara Kunitha’.

The costumes used by the dancers are modest and penny plain. The song rendition of the kuruba gowdas is marked with a rarity that makes it very unique from the folk singers of any other clan or community. This dance form gained remarkable impetus and momentum over the years with rejuvenated and revitalized energy and strength. Scarcely ever a religious ceremony is solemnized and Commemorated without this dance form occupying the centre stage and the limelight.