MUSIC
Telangana has a music tradition of Carnatic and folk music. The different forms of folk music are -
Oggukatha-It is a traditional folk singing art carried out by some communities who sing songs in the form of ballads to praise their tribal Gods and Lord Shiva while moving from one place to another. They use the songs to narrate and dramatise the stories of the Gods.
Sarada Kala-In this the story tellers or balladeers narrate stories in the form of song using the Sarada stringed instruments.
DANCE
Perini Shivathandavam-Perini Shivathandavam is a dance which originated in the Kakatiya dynasty. It was performed in front of an idol of lord Shiva before the soldiers set out to fight in the battle. It is called the ‘Dance of Warriors’ and is usually performed only by males. Evidence of this dance form can be seen in the sculptures which are in the Garbha Gruha of the main temple of Ramappa temple in Warangal. This dance is performed vigorously on the beats of drums as the dancers feel the power of Shiva entering their body as they invoke him in a deep abstract way .
Gobbi Dance-It is performed during the Sankranthi festival and derives its name from ‘Gobbillu’ or ‘balls of cow dung’ which are placed in the middle of rangoli designs made in front of houses. These are then worshipped along with rituals, kumkum, turmeric and flowers. In the evening young girls sing and dance around the Gobbillu in a circular manner similar to the Garbha dance of Gujarat.
Burra Katha-This is a form of storytelling using a musical instrument called ‘Burra’. This art evolved from a dance called Tandana Katha which was popular for entertainment for the rural masses. A Burra Katha group consists of three artists. The main artist being in the centre dressed with a long flowing dress called angaraksha , a colourful turban with a crest feather, a tight pyjama or dhoti, a colourful waistband and musical bells on his ankles. He holds a Burra (a kind of Tambura) in his hand and sings the ballads while playing the instrument. He is called the storyteller or Kathakudu and his stories are based on mythology or history. He also wears a metal ring called Andelu in his right hand and holds another ring in his left hand and beats music with them. He is accompanied by two other artistes one on either side called Vantalu who are similarly dressed and play the instruments called Barralu or Budigalu or dhaki which are earthern drums of two heads. One of them is called the Rajkiya who enlivens the session with his satirical political and social commentary and the other is the Hasyam clown for comic relief. The ballad compositions contain a variety of songs in content and form in different meters.
Dandaria dance-This dance is generally performed by the Gonds of the hilly region of Northern Hyderabad with Dandas or sticks. The male dancers wear colourful costumes and strike their sticks dancing to the accompaniment of trumpets and drums with musicians leading the procession. They go from village to village and even the hosts sometimes accompany them in their dance. According to the Gond legend, Dandaria was an ancient Gond hero who was the creator of this dance and he was originally a descendant of the Pandavas thus the Gonds believe they too are descendants of the Pandavas and joyously celebrate this dance.
Telangana has a music tradition of Carnatic and folk music. The different forms of folk music are -
Oggukatha-It is a traditional folk singing art carried out by some communities who sing songs in the form of ballads to praise their tribal Gods and Lord Shiva while moving from one place to another. They use the songs to narrate and dramatise the stories of the Gods.
Sarada Kala-In this the story tellers or balladeers narrate stories in the form of song using the Sarada stringed instruments.
DANCE
Perini Shivathandavam-Perini Shivathandavam is a dance which originated in the Kakatiya dynasty. It was performed in front of an idol of lord Shiva before the soldiers set out to fight in the battle. It is called the ‘Dance of Warriors’ and is usually performed only by males. Evidence of this dance form can be seen in the sculptures which are in the Garbha Gruha of the main temple of Ramappa temple in Warangal. This dance is performed vigorously on the beats of drums as the dancers feel the power of Shiva entering their body as they invoke him in a deep abstract way .
Gobbi Dance-It is performed during the Sankranthi festival and derives its name from ‘Gobbillu’ or ‘balls of cow dung’ which are placed in the middle of rangoli designs made in front of houses. These are then worshipped along with rituals, kumkum, turmeric and flowers. In the evening young girls sing and dance around the Gobbillu in a circular manner similar to the Garbha dance of Gujarat.
Burra Katha-This is a form of storytelling using a musical instrument called ‘Burra’. This art evolved from a dance called Tandana Katha which was popular for entertainment for the rural masses. A Burra Katha group consists of three artists. The main artist being in the centre dressed with a long flowing dress called angaraksha , a colourful turban with a crest feather, a tight pyjama or dhoti, a colourful waistband and musical bells on his ankles. He holds a Burra (a kind of Tambura) in his hand and sings the ballads while playing the instrument. He is called the storyteller or Kathakudu and his stories are based on mythology or history. He also wears a metal ring called Andelu in his right hand and holds another ring in his left hand and beats music with them. He is accompanied by two other artistes one on either side called Vantalu who are similarly dressed and play the instruments called Barralu or Budigalu or dhaki which are earthern drums of two heads. One of them is called the Rajkiya who enlivens the session with his satirical political and social commentary and the other is the Hasyam clown for comic relief. The ballad compositions contain a variety of songs in content and form in different meters.
Dandaria dance-This dance is generally performed by the Gonds of the hilly region of Northern Hyderabad with Dandas or sticks. The male dancers wear colourful costumes and strike their sticks dancing to the accompaniment of trumpets and drums with musicians leading the procession. They go from village to village and even the hosts sometimes accompany them in their dance. According to the Gond legend, Dandaria was an ancient Gond hero who was the creator of this dance and he was originally a descendant of the Pandavas thus the Gonds believe they too are descendants of the Pandavas and joyously celebrate this dance.