“Kalgi-Tura” is competitive singing glorifying feminine paws as pitted against masculine prowess. The challenge is thrown and accepted. With rhyme and rhythm, meaning and sound, “Kalgi-Tura” is interesting to watch and listen. The performance is in ‘Kannada’
The ‘Kalgi-Tura’ begins when Phakiravva beats a “Duff” (percussion) slowly, deliberately, getting herself ready to burst forth in her “Kalgi” songs to challenge the principle of male chauvinism down the ages of “Tura” (laavani) tradition.
Phakiravva leading artist of the Kalgi-Tura tradition moves on stage with supreme confidence and strikes challenging postures suiting the theme of the song. Within minutes of singing Phakiravva creates a theater through content, song and dance.
Phakiravva Gudisagara, a famous name indeed in the contemporary “Kalgi-Tura laavani” ballad tradition. With her rich sonorous voice Phakiravva can regale her rural or even urban audience throughout the night giving glimpses and flashes of the vitality of a challenging rural theatre form. Her male counter part Hanumanta Rao is a fitting “Tura” singer and in fact Phakiravva acknowledges him as her “guru” (teacher).
