Dance forms of Andhra Pradesh
Encyclopedia
The Dance forms of Andhra Pradesh take on a wide variety of colors, costumes, and types; and involve different settings and musical instruments. Andhra Pradesh
is a state in southern India
.
Burra refers to the tambura, a musical instrument played by the main storyteller. The main performer narrates a story, plays music and dances to it. The co-performers plays drums and addresses him constantly and enrich certain events in the story with their short sentences.
The illustration of Veeranatyam is found in the Hindu Mythology. Once Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati Devi was humiliated at a function. This made the Shiva-the God of destruction, furious. Lord Shiva, outraged at the humiliation met by his consort, Lord Shiva picked out a relic out of His hair or ‘Jatajuta’, which created Veerabhadra.
He is believed to have portrayed out His extreme anger by performing a vigorous dance; thus justifying the name Veeranatyam. It was the dance of ‘Pralayam’ or Destruction.
The angry destructive Shiva or the ‘Pralayankar’ in the fiercity of rage tarnished the ‘Dakshayagna Vatika’ the place where the function was held.
The Veerabhadriya (Veeramusti community, changed its name recently from veeramusti to veerabhadriya) which claims to be the descendant of Veerabhadra, performs this vigorous dance with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha and Veeranam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, which is believed to be Dakshavatika, the birth place of Veerabhadra
Natyam or Veerabhadra Natyam is performed by men in Hyderabad, East and West Godavari, Kurnool, Anantapur, Warangal and Khammam.
The first stage is the holding of "Veerabhadra Pallem" a huge plate carried from the palms to the elbows bearing a camphor fire. The dance goes on vigorously to the tempo of several percussion instruments until the fire is extinguished. Part of this ceremony consists of the ‘Khadgalu’ recital, where a pujari brandishes a long sword representing that of Veerabhadra.
The second stage lies in holding a long consecrated pole, marked with Vibhuti (sacred ash) representing the ‘Dhwaja Sthamba’ of the Lord with bells tied to the top.
In the third stage the performers dance with spears and tridents pierced into their ankles, hands and tongue. This is called ‘Narasam’. The dancers are dressed in colorful knee-length dhotis secured by waist-sashes smeared with vibhuti all over their body. The main percussion instrument is the ‘Veeranam’ or ‘war-drum’.
Veeranatyam initially started as a ritual that was performed in all the Shiva or the shaivite temples in honour of Lord Shiva. At present, the followers of Veerabhadra mostly perform this form of performing arts. The community is known as Veeramusti community in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Dressed in colorful ‘Dhotis’ and ‘Dattis’ the dancers perform Veerabhadra. Musical and rhythmic instruments like Dolu, Thasha, Veernam, Thambura and Soolam are used while the dance is being performed. To the rhythm of drumbeats, the dancers perform the dance of destruction. Long steps and dexterous hand movements are required for performing Veeranatyam. Draksharama in East Godavari district specially witnesses this dance form.
veerabhadra dancer holds veera khadgam (sword) dances in synchonisation to words called 'Dhandakas' chanted by the other dancers beating simultaneously veerabhadra pallem ,which is similar to war cry to challenge enemy,veerabhadra dance is very furious and expresses high degree of emotions.
form, popular in Tanuku
of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, Butta Bommalu which literally means basket toys are made of woodhusk, dry grass and cow dung
. Each dancer wears a different mask over the head and shoulders enlarging the scope of the performer and dances to a nonverbal rhythm which adds colour to the movements.
, a tambourine
-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
Part of a Telangana
custom which sees the Dappu dancers at the front of any procession, whether it be for jataras, festivals or marriages, this is truly a celebration of the percussive powers of dance.
This lively art form hails from Nizamabad District
. The performers in colorful make-up and even more colorful costumes dance to the musical patterns set by cymbal
s, tabla
and a harmonium
.
Mythological themes are usually enacted and the audience are the rurals.
and Vizianagaram
Districts, this is a devotional dance which invokes the Rain God with its vigour, rhythm and tempo
.
Also performed during festivals, the dance sees 15 to 20 vibrant artists with drums around their necks creating mesmerising beats and heartstopping acrobatics
Costumes embroidered with glass beads and mirrors, ornate jewellery, ivory bangles, brass anklets and a natural rhythm make this dance a colourful exposition of joy which is the highlight of many a festive occasion
of Bonalu
in the Telangana region brings with it celebrations which see the colourfully dressed female dancers balancing pots (Bonalu), step to the rhythmic beats and tunes in praise of the village deity Mahankali.
Male dancers called Potharajus precede the female dancers to the temple lashing whips and neem leaves adding colour to the festivity.
is published by the name of Dhimsa in Telugu
Link to http://www.dhimsa.net Tribals dance during the months of Chaitra
i.e. March/April, on wedding
s and other festivities. During the festivals dancers of one village visit the other to participate in the dance and join the community feast. Such dances are known as “Sankidi Kelbar”. The unique feature of Dhimsa dance is that it chanalises friendship and fraternity between the people of different villages. This being traditionally a tribal dance, the women folk attired in typical tribal dress and ornaments dance in group to the tune of Mori, Kiridi, Tudumu, Dappu and Jodukommulu.
Dhimsa had branched off to eight different categories of dances. Boda Dimsa is a worship dance in honour of village goddess. Men on the right and women on the left form two rows and hold one another firmly in their hands the backs. The first man in the right row with a bunch of peacock feathers in hand in rhythmical steps takes the lead while the last person in the left row joins him. Then all dancers to the sounds of anklets move zigzag in a serpent dance in a circle crying “Hari” and “Hui” return to the rows. In Gunderi dimsa or Usku Dimsa a male dancer while singing sends invitation to the females to dance with him. Thereafter, the male and female with firm steps move forward and backward stride in a circle. In Goddi Beta Dimsa the dancers bending forward and rising up with a swing go about twenty-five steps and return in the same manner four to five times. Potar-Tola Dimsa dance symbolizes the picking up leaves. Half of the dancers stand side by side in a row, while the rest stand behind the first row in same manner and keep their hands on shoulders of dancers standing before. Turning their heads to right and left the two rows march forward and backward. Bhag Dimsa is a dance of art as to how to escape from a tigers attack. Half of the dancers form a circle holding hand in hand. They stand on their toes, bowing and raising their heads. Moving round swiftly, the rest enter the circle and form a “serpent Coil”. This is repeated several times. Natikari Dimsa is a solo dance danced by the Valmikis on Dewali festival in particular. Kunda Dimsa is dance where the dancers push each other with their shoulders while swinging rhythmically. Baya Dimsa dance is the dance of tribal magician when he is possessed by the village goddess. All the villagers with their hands bowed down imitate the “Ganachari”. This continues till the magician returns to normalcy Dimsa dances exhibit community unity without discremination. These dance forms essentially amplifying their ways of life belong to their cultural heritage. Even though things have changed much, yet the hillmen had retained their traditions unspoilt. Though their dances cannot be included into any classical forms, yet they conform to the rhythm of either “Aditala” or “Rupakatala”.
, Garbha in Rajasthan
, etc.The Kolatam group comprises dancers in the range of 8 to 40. In kolattam, performed by 8 to 40 artists grouped in pairs, The stick provides the main rhythm. The artists led by the leader move into two circles, the inner circle receiving the strikes while the outer circle delivering them. Kolatam offers a great variety of entertainment to the spectators as well as the participants.
Kolattam is also called Kolanna in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh state.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
is a state in southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Kuchipudi
- and gurus were Kuchipudi BrahminBrahminBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s like Lakshmi Narayan Shastri and Chinta Krishna Murti who excelled in roles like Satyabhama in Bhamakalapam; later gurus include Vedantam Chinna Satyam. Today both group performances and solo performances are popular but experimentation are always being done with the choreography.
Burrakatha
Burrakatha is the new name (twentieth century) for the theatre known as Jangam Katha. The jangams were wandering siav worshippers.Burra refers to the tambura, a musical instrument played by the main storyteller. The main performer narrates a story, plays music and dances to it. The co-performers plays drums and addresses him constantly and enrich certain events in the story with their short sentences.
Veeranatyam
A very old form of dance in the state of Andhra Pradesh that has a lot of religious significance attached to it; that is Veeranatyam. This fascinating kind of dance form is also known as Veerangam and Veerabhadra Nrityam. The term ‘Veera’ literally means brave. Thus as the name of the dance form suggests it is the dance of the brave.The illustration of Veeranatyam is found in the Hindu Mythology. Once Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati Devi was humiliated at a function. This made the Shiva-the God of destruction, furious. Lord Shiva, outraged at the humiliation met by his consort, Lord Shiva picked out a relic out of His hair or ‘Jatajuta’, which created Veerabhadra.
He is believed to have portrayed out His extreme anger by performing a vigorous dance; thus justifying the name Veeranatyam. It was the dance of ‘Pralayam’ or Destruction.
The angry destructive Shiva or the ‘Pralayankar’ in the fiercity of rage tarnished the ‘Dakshayagna Vatika’ the place where the function was held.
The Veerabhadriya (Veeramusti community, changed its name recently from veeramusti to veerabhadriya) which claims to be the descendant of Veerabhadra, performs this vigorous dance with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha and Veeranam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, which is believed to be Dakshavatika, the birth place of Veerabhadra
Natyam or Veerabhadra Natyam is performed by men in Hyderabad, East and West Godavari, Kurnool, Anantapur, Warangal and Khammam.
The first stage is the holding of "Veerabhadra Pallem" a huge plate carried from the palms to the elbows bearing a camphor fire. The dance goes on vigorously to the tempo of several percussion instruments until the fire is extinguished. Part of this ceremony consists of the ‘Khadgalu’ recital, where a pujari brandishes a long sword representing that of Veerabhadra.
The second stage lies in holding a long consecrated pole, marked with Vibhuti (sacred ash) representing the ‘Dhwaja Sthamba’ of the Lord with bells tied to the top.
In the third stage the performers dance with spears and tridents pierced into their ankles, hands and tongue. This is called ‘Narasam’. The dancers are dressed in colorful knee-length dhotis secured by waist-sashes smeared with vibhuti all over their body. The main percussion instrument is the ‘Veeranam’ or ‘war-drum’.
Veeranatyam initially started as a ritual that was performed in all the Shiva or the shaivite temples in honour of Lord Shiva. At present, the followers of Veerabhadra mostly perform this form of performing arts. The community is known as Veeramusti community in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Dressed in colorful ‘Dhotis’ and ‘Dattis’ the dancers perform Veerabhadra. Musical and rhythmic instruments like Dolu, Thasha, Veernam, Thambura and Soolam are used while the dance is being performed. To the rhythm of drumbeats, the dancers perform the dance of destruction. Long steps and dexterous hand movements are required for performing Veeranatyam. Draksharama in East Godavari district specially witnesses this dance form.
veerabhadra dancer holds veera khadgam (sword) dances in synchonisation to words called 'Dhandakas' chanted by the other dancers beating simultaneously veerabhadra pallem ,which is similar to war cry to challenge enemy,veerabhadra dance is very furious and expresses high degree of emotions.
Butta bommalu
A typical folk danceFolk dance
The term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:*They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music....
form, popular in Tanuku
Tanuku
Tanuku, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It was known as Tarakapura in ancient times. The name comes from Tarakasena, who ruled over Tanuku and the adjoining regions. Dr. Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao is the current MLA...
of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, Butta Bommalu which literally means basket toys are made of woodhusk, dry grass and cow dung
Cow dung
Cow dung is the waste product of bovine animal species. These species include domestic cattle , bison , yak and water buffalo. Cow dung is the undigested residue of plant matter which has passed through the animal's gut. The resultant faecal matter is rich in minerals...
. Each dancer wears a different mask over the head and shoulders enlarging the scope of the performer and dances to a nonverbal rhythm which adds colour to the movements.
Dappu
Made of goatskinGoatskin
Goatskin may refer to:* Goatskin , the skin of a goat or the leather made from it* Goatskin , a container for wine...
, a tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
Part of a Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
custom which sees the Dappu dancers at the front of any procession, whether it be for jataras, festivals or marriages, this is truly a celebration of the percussive powers of dance.
This lively art form hails from Nizamabad District
Nizamabad district
Nizamabad District is located in the north-western region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also known as Induru. Nizamabad is the current and official name of the district....
. The performers in colorful make-up and even more colorful costumes dance to the musical patterns set by cymbal
Cymbal
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...
s, tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
and a harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
.
Mythological themes are usually enacted and the audience are the rurals.
Tappeta Gullu
Popular in SrikakulamSrikakulam
Srikakulam is a town, municipality and headquarters of Srikakulam district in the north-eastern Andhra Pradesh, India. It is part of Srikakulam Assembly constituency and Srikakulam Parliament Constituency. Srikakulam was formerly called as Gulshanabad during Muslim rule and was headquarter of...
and Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of north-eastern Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Vizianagaram district was formed on 1 June 1979, with some parts carved from the neighbouring districts of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is, at present, the largest municipality of...
Districts, this is a devotional dance which invokes the Rain God with its vigour, rhythm and tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
.
Also performed during festivals, the dance sees 15 to 20 vibrant artists with drums around their necks creating mesmerising beats and heartstopping acrobatics
Lambadi
Associated with daily tasks harvesting, planting, sowing etc., the Lambadi is performed by the Ganjaras, a seminomadic tribe seen all over Andhra Pradesh.Costumes embroidered with glass beads and mirrors, ornate jewellery, ivory bangles, brass anklets and a natural rhythm make this dance a colourful exposition of joy which is the highlight of many a festive occasion
Bonalu
The folk festivalFolk festival
A Folk festival celebrates traditional folk crafts and folk music.-Canada:Alberta*Calgary Folk Music Festival*Canmore Folk Music Festival*Edmonton Folk Music Festival*Jasper Folk Festival*Wild Mountain Music FestOntario*Barriefolk...
of Bonalu
Bonalu
Bonalu is a Hindu festival of the Goddess of power, Mahakali, celebrated in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema in India. It is celebrated in the month of Ashada masam, in July/August. Special poojas are performed for Yellamma on the first and last day of the festival...
in the Telangana region brings with it celebrations which see the colourfully dressed female dancers balancing pots (Bonalu), step to the rhythmic beats and tunes in praise of the village deity Mahankali.
Male dancers called Potharajus precede the female dancers to the temple lashing whips and neem leaves adding colour to the festivity.
Dhimsa
Dhimsa dance is a dance of young and old, men and women of Valmiki, Bagata, Khond and Kotia tribes living in the enchanting Araku Valley in the hilly tracts of Vishakhapatam district. A monthly magazineMagazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
is published by the name of Dhimsa in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
Link to http://www.dhimsa.net Tribals dance during the months of Chaitra
Chaitra
Chaitra is a month of the Hindu calendar....
i.e. March/April, on wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
s and other festivities. During the festivals dancers of one village visit the other to participate in the dance and join the community feast. Such dances are known as “Sankidi Kelbar”. The unique feature of Dhimsa dance is that it chanalises friendship and fraternity between the people of different villages. This being traditionally a tribal dance, the women folk attired in typical tribal dress and ornaments dance in group to the tune of Mori, Kiridi, Tudumu, Dappu and Jodukommulu.
Dhimsa had branched off to eight different categories of dances. Boda Dimsa is a worship dance in honour of village goddess. Men on the right and women on the left form two rows and hold one another firmly in their hands the backs. The first man in the right row with a bunch of peacock feathers in hand in rhythmical steps takes the lead while the last person in the left row joins him. Then all dancers to the sounds of anklets move zigzag in a serpent dance in a circle crying “Hari” and “Hui” return to the rows. In Gunderi dimsa or Usku Dimsa a male dancer while singing sends invitation to the females to dance with him. Thereafter, the male and female with firm steps move forward and backward stride in a circle. In Goddi Beta Dimsa the dancers bending forward and rising up with a swing go about twenty-five steps and return in the same manner four to five times. Potar-Tola Dimsa dance symbolizes the picking up leaves. Half of the dancers stand side by side in a row, while the rest stand behind the first row in same manner and keep their hands on shoulders of dancers standing before. Turning their heads to right and left the two rows march forward and backward. Bhag Dimsa is a dance of art as to how to escape from a tigers attack. Half of the dancers form a circle holding hand in hand. They stand on their toes, bowing and raising their heads. Moving round swiftly, the rest enter the circle and form a “serpent Coil”. This is repeated several times. Natikari Dimsa is a solo dance danced by the Valmikis on Dewali festival in particular. Kunda Dimsa is dance where the dancers push each other with their shoulders while swinging rhythmically. Baya Dimsa dance is the dance of tribal magician when he is possessed by the village goddess. All the villagers with their hands bowed down imitate the “Ganachari”. This continues till the magician returns to normalcy Dimsa dances exhibit community unity without discremination. These dance forms essentially amplifying their ways of life belong to their cultural heritage. Even though things have changed much, yet the hillmen had retained their traditions unspoilt. Though their dances cannot be included into any classical forms, yet they conform to the rhythm of either “Aditala” or “Rupakatala”.
Kolattam
'Kollattam', or the stick dance, is one of the most popular dance narratives in Andhra Pradesh. It is also called as Kolannalu or Kolkolannalu. A rural art usually performed during village festivals, kolattam is a combination of rhythmic movements, songs and music. It is known as Dandia ras in GujratGujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
, Garbha in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, etc.The Kolatam group comprises dancers in the range of 8 to 40. In kolattam, performed by 8 to 40 artists grouped in pairs, The stick provides the main rhythm. The artists led by the leader move into two circles, the inner circle receiving the strikes while the outer circle delivering them. Kolatam offers a great variety of entertainment to the spectators as well as the participants.
Kolattam is also called Kolanna in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh state.