Andhra Pradesh : Folk Dance

Veeraanatyam :
Lord Siva, outraged at the humiliation meted out to his consort, plucked a strand out of his long hair & created Veerabhadra. The Veeramusti community which calims to be the descedant of Veerabhadra, performs this vigorous dance with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha & Veeranam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari District.

Butta Bommalu :
Typical folk dance from popular in Tanuku of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Butta Bommalu which literally means basket toys, are made of woodhusk, dry grass & cow dung. Each dancer wears different mask over the head & shoulders enlarging the scope of the performer.

Dappu :
Made of goatskin, a tambourine like drum is beaten with sticks creating a ryhthm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16-20 dancers wear. Part of a Telangana custom sees the Dappu dancers at the front of any performer.

Chindu Bhagavatham :
This lively art from hails from Nizamabad disrict. The performers in colourfulr make-up & even more colourful costumes dance to musical patterns set by cymbals, tabla & a harmonium.

Tappetagullu :
Popular in Srikakulam & Vizianagaram districts, this is a devotional dance which invokes the Rain God with its vigour, rhythm & tempo.

Lambadi :
Associated with daily tasks like harvesting, planting, sowing stc., the Lambadi is pefirmed by the Banjaras, a semi-nomadic tribe seen all over Andhra Pradesh.

Bonalu :
The folk festival of Bonalu in the Telangana region brings with it celebrations which see colourfully dressed female dancers balancing pots(bonalu), step to rhythmic beats & tunes in obeisance to the village deity Mahankali.

Dhimsa :
Generally performed in local fairs & festivals af Araku Valley in Vishakhapatanam district, the tribal dance sees 15-20 women forming a chain & dancing. Women attired in typical tribal dresses & ornaments dance to the beat of instruments like Mori, Thudum & Dappu Plyed by the male members.