Dance forms of Andhra Pradesh
The dance forms of Andhra Pradesh take on a wide variety of colors, costumes, and types; and involve different settings and musical instruments.
This traditional dance form, having a history of 2000 years was lost in the Mughal and British era, and was revived in the 20th century.
[1] Bhama refers to Satyabhama, Krishna's beautiful but jealous wife and kalapam means complaint or argument.
The angry destructive Shiva or the ‘Pralayankar’ in the ferocity 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 birthplace 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.
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.
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 wood-husk, 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 non-verbal rhythm which adds color to the movements.
Made of goatskin, a tambourine-like the 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 jatakas, festivals, or marriages, this is truly a celebration of the percussive powers of dance.
Popular in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram Districts, this is a devotional dance that invokes the Rain God with its vigor, rhythm, and tempo.
Also performed during festivals, the dance sees 15 to 20 vibrant artists with drums around their necks creating mesmerizing beats and heart-stopping acrobatics Associated with daily tasks harvesting, planting, sowing, etc., the Lambadi is performed by the Banjaras, a semi-nomadic tribe seen all over Andhra Pradesh.
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 Gundert dims or Usku Dimsa a male dancer while singing sends an invitation to the females to dance with him.
In God 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.
This continues till the magician returns to normalcy Dimsa dances exhibit community unity without discrimination.
A rural art usually performed during village festivals, kolata kim is a combination of rhythmic movements, songs, and music.
