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| Gobbi Dance |
Gobbi Dance:
This is one of the popular dance forms from coastal regions of Andhra. Gobbi dance is the main attraction during the Samkranti
festival. At this time, the courtyards of all houses are cleaned and decorated. For decoration purpose flowers are used with
different kinds of rangavallis. Gobbillu i.e. balls of cow dung are placed in the middle of these rangavalli designs and worshipped
with flowers, kumkum and turmeric in a ritualistic way. During evening time, young girls gather around this gobbillu to dance
and sing. One can say, that this dance is a derived form of Garba dance performed in circular direction.
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| Burra Katha Dance |
Burra Katha:
Burra Katha has a distinct form of heritage of story telling to the huge crowd. While story telling to strengthen the
verbal idea Burra is used. Burra Katha named after the musical instrument "Burra", which is a modern form of ballad
singing. It is believed that this dance is evolved from traditional Tandana Katha, this dance art preaches, entertains and
provides relaxation to the rural folk.
A Burra Katha group consists of three artistes one being at the center and the other two acts as assistants under him
known as Vantalu. The center artist is usually dressed with a long angaraksha, a beautiful turban with a crest feather, a
tight paijama or dhoti, a colourful waistband and jingling bells on his knees. He holds a Tambura or sitar and Andelu and
a Kerchief and sings the ballad while playing the instruments. The assistants, similarly dressed, play the instruments like
Barralu or Budigalu.
Burra refers to the tambura, a musical instrument played by the storyteller (kathakudu) to grab the attention of viewers.
This main player beats music in another manner, too - he wears a metal ring on his right thumb, and holds another like ring
in his hand. He also introduces the story, which is mainly based on history or mythology. He constantly addresses to the co-artists.
There are drummers, who stand on either side of him. With them on the right, the Rajkiya, who enhance to a social and political
commentary, to the left, the hasyam clown for comic relief. They play the dakki (earthen drums of two heads), which is an
important part of a Burra Katha show.
The Traditional and modern Burra Katha differs in many ways. Traditionals are not stick to one particular definite style
of dress or make up. Being polygamous, their wives play roles as assistants and instrumentalists. While the duration of the
entire show is time bound, the metrical composition differs at different stages depicting the moods and incidents. Besides
meters like Dwipada, Daruvu, Kandardhas, Kirtans the ballads compositions now contains the variety of songs in form and content.
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| Dhamal Dance |
Dhamal Dance:
Dhamal is one of the typical & ceremonial dance forms of Siddis of Hyderabad region. It is a mimetic martial dance
performed by Siddis. They use swords and shields held in their hands while performing various steps involved in the dance.
This dance is ceremonial in nature performed especially on the occasion of marriage. Many musical instruments are used to
accompany and make noises of `how wow`.
Siddis originally are from Africa continent and were brought in Andhra by the Hindu kings, in the middle of the 12th century
to perform guard duties in their palaces. They were then favourite with the ruling classes as soldiers, sailors and personal
bodyguards. As they were in great demand after realizing their better performance, they were brought from Africa and Abyssinia
as slaves. Gradually, they were absorbed into the Indian culture, but their dances still have the flavour of the land of origin,
in their special warlike movements. Their dances present a fascinating coordination of rhythmic body movement and colours
in their exotic colorful costumes. The whole picture of dance is attention grabbing.
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