Somana Kunitha is a dance form in south
Karnataka. The term Soma refers to an unsatisfied warrior character, who after death becomes a guardian to the Mother Goddess, the presiding village deity. This dance form is accompanied by instrumental music. Accompanying instruments are Are (percussion), Doonu (percussion) Mouri (wind pipe), and Sadde (windpipe for humming sound or shruti). Usually the Soma proceeds from the Mother Goddess's temple. The Somas (Mask) are made out of softwood and the appearance is similar to Chinese or Nepalese masks.
