All about the famous dance forms of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is a south Indian coastal state with a rich culture. Various performing art forms such as music, dance, and drama have flourished in the state. 

The classical dance of Andhra Pradesh is Kuchipudi. It is recognised as one of the nine classical dance styles of India. Kuchipudi originated and flourished in Andhra Pradesh, which is also the birthplace of various other classical, folk, and tribal-dance forms, apart from Kuchipudi. 

The dance forms have a range of colourful costumes and styles, and they use diverse musical instruments. Let us learn about the various traditional dance forms prevalent in the state and understand its culture.

Famous dance forms of Andhra Pradesh fall under three categories:

1. Classical Dance Forms
2. Folk Dance Forms
3. Tribal Dance Forms

Classical Dance Forms

Dance evokes the culture of the region. It is a storehouse of information about the culture, values, and beliefs of the people in the region. The major classical dance forms of Andhra Pradesh are:

1. Kuchipudi
2. Andhra Natyam
3. Vilasini Natyam

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is one of the classical dance styles of India. It originated in the village of Kuchipudi, in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Yakshagana, a form of dance-drama, is a combination of dance, music, and drama. Kuchipudi, the famous dance of Andhra Pradesh, is a form of Yakshagana conceived by Sidhendra Yogi, a Vaishnava Poet. The most popular compositions of the Kuchipudi dance are: 

• Bhama kalapam – Composed by Sidhendra Yogi
• Golla Kalapam – Composed by Ramaiah Sastri
• Krishna Lila Tarangi – Composed by Narayana Teertha

Various other performances include the Kritis of Thyagaraja and the padams of Kshetraiyya. 

In Kuchipudi, the male dancer wears a dhoti, while the female dancer wears a saree with jewellery, which is a symbolic representation of the sun and the moon, the soul, and nature. 

There are various styles of baani of the Kuchipudi, the famous dance of Andhra Pradesh, depending on the creativity of the Gurus. The primary instruments used in Kuchipudi are mridangam, cymbals, veena, flute, and tambura.

Andhra Natyam

Andhra Natyam is also one of the traditional dance forms of Andhra Pradesh. It originated as a temple dance. Andhra Natyam is performed by a solo female artist, known as a Nattuva Mela tradition. It is a classical dance form of the Telugu region and has been popular for almost 2000 years. It is also known by various other names such as Aradhana, Kacheri, Darbar, Kalika, Chinna Melam, Mejuvani, Dasi Ata, etc.

Andhra Natyam is rendered in 3 styles, namely

• Agama Nartanam
• Asthana Nartanam
• Prabandha Nartanam

Agama Nartanam, also called temple dance, is performed in temples and dedicated to the temple deities. Asthana Narthanam is performed in the courts and darbars of kings. The primary purpose of Asthana Narthanam was to entertain the king, scholars, and other court members. Prabandha Nartanma is performed in public places, and it is a way of storytelling. Musical Instruments like mridangam, violin, veena, flute, manjira, and kanjira aid the dance. This dance form was banned and was on the verge of extinction. In the 1970s, the dance form was revived and propagated on various national and international forums by the Telugu diaspora. 

Vilasini Natyam

Vilasini Natyam is a classical dance of Andhra Pradesh, performed by female singers cum dancers known as Devadasis, Vilasini, Swamini, and Bhogini. The Devadasis are assumed to be married to the god of the temple where they perform. Devadasi dance was performed to invoke the Gods and Goddesses.  

With the Anti-Devadasi Act, this dance form was banned. The almost-extinct dance form was revived by the internationally renowned dancer Swapna Sundari and renamed Vilasini Natyam. 

Folk Dance Forms

Andhra Pradesh has a wide range of folk dance forms. Folk dance forms are developed by the people, depicting their life. They are usually performed on the locally created music during local occasions, such as harvest, festivals, etc. Some folk dance forms of Andhra Pradesh are

1. Veeranatyam
2. Tappeta Gullu
3. Butta Bommalu
4. Kolattam

Veera Natyam

Veeranatyam is one of the oldest dance forms of Andhra Pradesh, with a lot of religious significance. “Veera” means brave, and “Natyam” means dance. Veeranatyam is known as the “dance of the brave.” Veeranatyam is performed by the men of the Veera Musti community (name changed to Veerabhadraiah), of the Draksharamam region, in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

The Veerabhadriyas claim lineage from Veerabhadra, who was created by Lord Shiva to avenge the humiliation and death of his wife Sati. This vigorous dance depicts the extreme anger of Lord Shiva when his wife Sati sacrificed her life after suffering humiliation.

The main percussion instrument used in this dance form is veeranam (war-drum), while other instruments are tambura, soolam, dolu, and tasha. Dancers perform to the rhythm of these instruments, holding swords, spears, and tridents pierced into their ankles, hands, and tongues. Dancers use long steps and agile hand movements to portray the furious nature of the dance, manifesting a high degree of emotions.

Tappeta Gullu

Tappeta Gullu is a major folk dance form prevailing in the northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam. This dance form was initially performed as a devotional dance by shepherds to appease Gangamma, the god of rain. 

Tappeta Gullu is usually performed by 15 to 20 male dancers with flat drums around their necks, wearing musical ankle bells on their ankles. The rhythm of the drums and the melody of their anklets produce enchanting and mesmerising acrobatics.

Butta Bommalu

Butta Bommalu is another folk dance performed to celebrate happiness during various festivals. This dance form belongs to the Tanuku village in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. 

“Butta Bommalu” means basket toys made of wood, dry grass, and cow dung. The dancers wear these eco-friendly dresses resembling dolls made of bamboo sticks, dry grass, and cow dung. The dress is hollow on the inside and is lightweight. Dancers slip into these dolls like masks over their faces, shoulders, and waist. The performers wear dolls depicting Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, etc., depending on the festival.

There are usually 4 to 8 dancers performing soft and graceful steps to the rhythm of the Dappu, a drum-like instrument made of goat leather. There is no song or any particular music for this dance form. 

Kolattam

Kolattam, the stick dance, is a traditional narrative form of folk dance in Andhra Pradesh, performed in rural areas. It is the harvest dance of the state, performed by both men and women. The main prop used by the dancers is decorated sticks, which are held in each hand. The dancers are paired, and they move around in two circles (inner and outer circle).  The dancers strike the sticks with their partners and the adjacent dancer rhythmically. They keep moving in a set pattern. 

Another beautiful variation of this Kolattam is Pinnal Kolattam, where a rope is woven into a particular pattern by dancers through their rhythmic moves. Kolattam is amazingly entertaining for both the audience and the dancers. Kolattam is similar to the Dandia and Garba dance forms of North India.

Tribal Dance Forms

The tribes living in the hilly areas have also contributed to the richness of the state’s culture. Tribal dance forms are an inherent and significant part of Andhra Pradesh’s culture. Some famous tribal dance forms of the state are:

1. Dhimsa
2. Lambadi

Dhimsa

Dhimsa is a tribal dance form prevailing in the Araku Valley of the Visakhapatnam district. This dance form is performed by the Valmikis, Konds, and Bagatas tribes living in this region. This dance form is performed in local fairs and festivals.

Dhimsa is performed by 15 to 20 women, forming a chain by holding hands together and moving in a snake-like formation. The male performers assist the female dancers by playing instruments such as Dappu, Mori, Tudumu, Kirindi, etc.

Dancers wear saree and ornaments in typical tribal fashion and wear their hair in a single-sided bun, sporting colourful flowers. This dance form is highly entertaining for the audience.

Lambadi

Lambadi is the tribal dance form of the Banjaras/Lambadi community, originating in the Anupu Village. The Lambadis are a semi-nomadic tribe that keeps moving from one place to another. This dance form has its roots in Rajasthan. The dress and the jewellery worn by the dancers are similar to the Rajasthani traditions.

Lambadi dance is performed by 15 to 20 women, while the male performers assist dancers with instruments. Dappu is the main instrument played rhythmically. Women dance and sing songs in a mixture of Telugu, Hindi, and Marathi languages. Dancers wear blouses and long skirts with heavy mirrors and beadworks, sporting heavy ivory bangles and brass anklets.

Conclusion

Andhra Pradesh has a rich culture of performing arts. The long list of traditional dance forms of the state depicts the richness of their culture. Literature speaks of our rich culture and heritage. Likewise, various performing art forms, especially dance, are an important source of information about our age-old traditions and customs.