Famous Dances of Andhra Pradesh

Dances of Andhra Pradesh

Kuchipudi:

Kuchipudi, one of the four classical dance forms of natya shastra, owes its name and existence to a small village on the Krishna belt in Andhra Pradesh called Kuchipudi. It is a consequent result of the Bhakti Andolan during the 6th century. In the 7th century, Siddhendra Yogi, one of the Kuchipudi's original exponents, took a group of village boys and trained them, to present a dance-drama and purposely elevated this dance-drama performance which became a tradition. The exponents of this dance need to be well versed in dance, mime, music and song. Apart from being a good dancer and an actor, he/she needs to have fine knowledge of the languages like Sanskrit and Telugu.

Kuchipudi is played under the night sky on makeshift ramps. The main role played in these dance dramas is the choreographer who keeps the whole show under a tight grip and infuses a continuity by his showmanship. Its fast paced nature has propelled this dance form into renowned art drama.

Andhra Natyam 

Andhra Natyam is an ancient lasya dance tradition performed by female dance artistes of Andhra Pradesh for the last two thousand years in Bouddha Aaramas, Temples, Courts of Maharajahs and in public places for the common people. This art is the spiritual expression of the Telugu people and another unique dance form of this state. Nava Janaardana Parijatam is an episode from the divine life of Lord Krishna, the Blue God and his spouse Satyabhama.

Tholubommalata:

'Tholubommalata', a shadow puppetry theatre is a fascinating folk art. Ornamentally painted leather puppets locally referred to as ‘Tholubommalu’ take the form of mythological characters from the two renowned epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. The inanimate characters are handled with bamboo sticks against a magnificent lamplit background.

Veeranatyam:

This is the dance of Lord Shiva, who outraged at the humiliation meted out to Sati Devi, his first wife, picked a relic out of his Jata-Jhuta (hair) and created Veerabadhra. The Veeramusti community which claims to be the descendents of Veerabadhra, perform this vigorous dance with instruments like Thambura, Soolam, Dolu, Thasha and Veernam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This place is believed to be Dakshawatika, the birth place of Veerabhadra.

Butta Bommalu:

The dance of Masks. A typical folk dance 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.

Dappu:

The Dappu, a percussion instrument made of goat skin and wood, is a tambourine-like drum which is when played with sticks creates a rhythm that’s softened only by the sound of ankle bells that the 16-20 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 percussion powers of dance.

Chindhu Bagavatham:

The dance of Colours and Costumes. This lively art form hails from Nizamabad district. The performers in colourful make up and costumes dance to the musical patterns set by Cymbals, Tabla and Harmonium. Mythological themes are usually enacted and the audience is mostly rural. The applause is however universal.

Tappeta Gullu:

The dance of the Rain God. Popular in Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram 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 – 20 vibrant artists with drums around their necks creating mesmerising beats and heart stopping acrobatics.

Lambad:i

This dance is associated with daily tasks like harvesting, planting, sowing, etc. and belongs to the Banjaras, a semi-nomadic tribe seen all over Andhra Pradesh. The Lambadi is performed by the Costumes embroidered with glass beads and mirrors, ornate jewellery, ivory bangles, brass anklets and a natural rhythm makes this dance a colourful exposition of joy which is the highlight of many an occasion.

Bonalu:

The dance of the Balancing Pots. The folk festival of Bonalu in the Telangana region brings with it a celebration of colourfully dressed female dancers balancing pots (Bonalu), stepping to the rhythmic beats and tunes in praise of the village deity Mahankali. Male dancers called Potharajus follow the female dancers to the temple lashing whips and emerald margosa leaves tied around their waists adding colour to the roaring trumpets and pulsating percussion.

Dhimsa:

This tribal dance form of the Hill Tribes sees 15-20 women forming a chain and dancing to the beats of instruments like Mori, Thuduma and Dappu that are played by members. They dance in praise of their local deity.It is generally performed in the local fairs and festivals in Viskhapatnam district. Women attired in typical tribal dresses and ornaments.