Karnataka has a diverse culture with many ethnic groups and religions. Traditional arts include folk plays, dances, and music. Contemporary theater is also thriving. Both North and South Karnataka are known for different styles of music. Traditional dress varies by region, with sarees and dhotis common. Major festivals celebrate local deities and harvests. Staple foods differ between North and South Karnataka, but rice, millet, and lentils are dietary foundations. Famous sweets include Mysore Pak and pedhas from various cities. Coastal and Kodagu cuisines have unique styles.

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CULTURE OF KARNATAKA
The southern state of Karnataka has a distinct art and culture. Apart from Kannadigas, Karnataka is
home to Tuluvas, Kodavas and Konkanis who also consider themselves as Kannadigas. Minor
populations of Tibetan Buddhists and Siddhi tribes plus a few other ethnic groups also live in Karnataka.
The traditional folk arts cover the entire gamut of music, dance, drama, storytelling by itinerant troupes,
etc. Yakshagana, a classical folk play, is one of the major theatrical forms of coastal Karnataka.
Contemporary theatre culture in Karnataka is one of the most vibrant in India with organizations
like Ninasam, Ranga Shankara and Rangayana active on foundations laid down by the Gubbi Veeranna
Nataka Company. Veeragase, Kamsale and Dollu Kunitha are popular dance forms. Bharatanatya also
enjoys wide patronage in Karnataka.
Karnataka is the only Indian state where both Hindustani and Karnatic singers flourish. North Karnataka
is predominantly famous for Hindustani music and South Karnataka is well known for Carnatic music.
Saree is the traditional dress of women in Karnataka. Women in Kodagu have a distinct style of wearing
the saree, different from the rest of Karnataka. Dhoti, known as Panche in Karnataka, is the traditional
attire of men. Mysore Peta is the traditional headgear of southern Karnataka, while
the pagadi or pataga (similar to the Rajasthani turban) is preferred in the northern areas of the state.
Karnataka has a multi-religious and a multi-cultural population. Hence a variety of festivals are held in
the state. Karnataka like most of its southern neighbors has several temples which also account for a
number of festivals being held each year. Dusshera, the most important Hindu festival is celebrated with
extravagance over a period of ten days. This festival was started by the rulers of the Vijaynagar Empire.
Other festivals celebrated in Karnataka are Yugadi, Karaga celebrated at the Darmaraya Temple and
Rajyotsava Day. Makara Samkramana, Sri Ramanavami, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and
Deepavali are the other festivals celebrated in Karnataka along with the rest of the country. The fairs
which are held in Karnataka are Sri Vithappa Fair, the Godachi Fair, Shri Yellamma Devi Fair and
Banashankari Devi Fair.
Rice and Ragi form the staple food in South Karnataka, whereas Jolada rotti, Sorghum is staple to North
Karnataka. Bisi bele bath, Jolada rotti, Ragi mudde, Uppittu, Benne Dose, Masala Dose and Maddur
Vade are some of the popular food items in Karnataka. Among sweets, Mysore
Pak, Karadantu of Gokak and Amingad, Belgaavi Kunda and Dharwad pedha are popular. Apart from
this, coastal Karnataka and Kodagu have distinctive cuisines of their own. Udupi cuisine of coastal
Karnataka is popular all over India.