A three-day programme highlighting the glory and aesthetic art of Andhra Pradesh India under the celebration of 38th Foundation Day of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav (IGRMS) concluded with various folk and tribal dance forms and ethnic food on 23rd March, 2014.
Marked with elegant steps and gestures, today’s dance presentations under cultural programme ‘Janapada Nrutyalu’ begins with TappetaGullu, a folk dance popular in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram Districts of Andhra Pradesh.
This dance form is devotionally performed by 15 to 20 vibrant artists to invoke the Rain God with its vigour, rhythm and tempo. Tappeta Gullu dance is also became a common choice in different festivals and marriage ceremonies of Andhra Pradesh because of heart stopping acrobatic postures of the artists and the mesmerising beats of the musical drums.
This dance presentation was followed by a unique and classical act of an exorbitant movement of balance and thrilling gestures of Koya Dance. The Koya tribal dance is very popular in Khammam district, they have settled in their district, they have settled in other districts also in Andhra Pradesh.
The Koyas performed by both men and women folk. The most alternative feature of their dance form is the costume which includes ‘crown adorned by peacock feathers on head and the long dhol in their hands.
After this Kolatam or stick dance from Andhra Pradesh summerised dance that meant youth wearing the colourful traditional dresses and dancing in a huge circle. The header of the troupe of Kolattam is accompanied by musical instruments including Dholak, Sahanai and cymbal players. Each performer holds up two sticks one in each hand that are decorated with coloured strings or bells at its end. The Kolatam folk dance performed in all the festivals in rural areas. The last performance was Gusadi tribal dance, which is very important among the Raj Gonds of Adilabad district in Andhra Prades(present in Telengana).
The Gond tribal dressed in colourful costumes and decorated with ornaments. Each member puts on a turban of peacock feathers and hours of the deer and goat skin to cover the body. The musical instruments like Dappu (percussion instrument) Tudumu are essential accompaniments.
Every dancer has two small sticks in his hands while playing Gusadi. Also they sing and clap their hands. Whose origin is attributed to their legendry hero ‘Pahandikupar lingu’ during Ashada (June-July) on full moon Day. Apart from this, the visitors were served withBangaladumpa Kurma, Koppari Pachhadi- a chutney of coconut, Pulihora (lemon Rice), Pulappau, Kalugaya Kura (Mixed vegetable curry), Mulakata Kurma (Jackfruit curry), Appadam (Papad), Payasam etc the ethnic food ‘Vindu’ of Andhra Pradesh was liked by all visitors.
“Braj Rang” at Manav Sangrahalaya
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is organizing “Braj Rang”, at Chairavati Open air Auditorium on March 25. “Braj Rang”, is a programme inspired from ‘Holi’ celebration of Braj region of Mathura.
The Holi celebration in Braj starts a fortnight before the date of Holi and continues for another fortnight after Holi. It is believed that this tradition of ‘Holi’ celebration goes back to the times of the divine love of Krishna and Radha.
Sheel Dwivedi and Rashmi Dwivedi of Mathura with a 15 member team are going to perform the songs and dances of Braj Holi on 25th March at IGRMS.