Tulavas living in southern coastal Karnataka and little parts of Kerala have added more to the Indian cultural diversity by their traditional worship form- Bootha Kola. It literally means spirit worship. There isn't one but numerous 'boothas' that are worshipped across various regions of Tulu land, and that is going to be the focus of this article.

There are more than a hundred types of 'Boothas' but only a few are popular. Reasons like caste, the significance of worshipper (in society) decide who is going to worship which bootha. Apart from that, reasons like region, level of celebration (village or family) too have a say in it. As the Tulavas associate aspects of nature, life with the Bootha they worship, it could've given rise to their large number of 'Boothas'.

A mask is an important accessory for a bootha, as each one has its own distinct mask. Also, every Bootha has its own peculiar make-up which adds to the individuality of the Bootha. Sometimes, the same mask may be used for many 'boothas', but in different regions.

The spirit being worshipped may be one of a number of the following different sorts: bhuta, daiva, kule, preta, sirikulu, cikku, and others. They could be spirits of cultural heroes, animal spirits, ghosts, and anthropomorphic divinities of various sorts.

The dance form has many varieties whose origins can be traced from ancient stories and are devoted to spirits like Annappa Panjurli (boar), Mula Mysonday (buffalo), Pili Chamundi (tiger) Mother Goddess, followers of Lord Shiva Virabhadra, Guliga Baikadthi Nenjacanya, spirits of real heroes like, Koti, Chennayya, Kalkuda Kallutri, Siri Daiva Raja etc.

Annappa Panjurli

The names of various 'boothas' are: Mahamaya devi, Rakteshwari, Dharmadevate kallurti, Jumadi Banta, Kaanteri Jumadi, Vishnumurthy, Kallurti- Panjurli, Anneppa, Vaidyanatha, Dhoomavathi banta, Banta daiva, Kalkuda - Kallurti, Kaala Bhandasa Guliga, Mantradevate, Kodamanthaye, Jaranday, Ajja Bolaya.

Jumadi

Jumadi is considered a deity of heavenly origin who descends to the Tulu Nadu region to receive worship from the people.The deity's association with the ruling class among the Tulu people gives it the epithet "Rajan-Daiva" (Deity of the Rulers).