Kavin Jagtiani
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
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KUNDE NAMME (Cursing God)
The ‘Kurubas’ are the original inhabitants of Kodagu, a lush green mountainous region in Karnataka, Southern India. They are forest people known for their simple needs and carefree living. However, they are now relegated to work the coffee plantations and perform menial tasks.
Once a year, they celebrate the Kunde Namme (Arse festival). The Kuruba men adorn women’s clothing and generally bizarre costumes to go around town hurling abuses at God for having abandoned them. The veiled abuses are also directed at their plantation owners for the hardships they put them through. The festival ends at the Devarakadu (Sacred Ground), where they dance and curse in a trance until the last ray of light.
My photography work of this festival is a work in progress. This was shot while I was shooting a documentary on the festival.