Dances of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh has presented the world a wide array of performing arts like dance, drama and music. The Kuchipudi Dance has emerged from here. It has gained popularity from all over the world and is regarded as one of the best dances in the world. The art of dyeing with vegetable oils and colors have been an integral part of Andra Pradesh Culture. The dyed clothes thus produced are distributed in the Indian as well as the International market. The Carnatic Music with its great maestros like Thyagaraja, Shyama Shastri and Mathswami Dixitar descended from Andra Pradesh and conquered the world with their spell of music. Great composers like Mangalapalli Bala Murali Krishna and Bhadrachala Ramadasu also proved their talents with their powerful compositions.

Dance as a Performing Art in Andra Pradesh:

A type of classical dance known as Kuchipudi flourished in Andra Pradesh. The style and technique of this dance was later imbibed by many Indian states. The general soup of South Indian dance includes Dassi Attam, Kacheri Attam and Chinna Melam along with many others. Of these dances Kuchipudi deserves special mention.

It is a classical dance that has originated in Andra Pradesh. It is similar to Bharat Natyam and the unique style of this dance in Andra Pradesh has been imitated by many others in course of time. Another form of excellent dance of Andra Pradesh is Perini. It is the dance of Shiva. It originated as a sort of Warrior Dance and then gained popularity. Ultimately Perini was embraced by the common people. Dance is the most interesting form of Performing Arts It is soothing to the eyes and relaxing to the mind.

Performing Arts in Andra Pradesh include the following:

• Kuchipudi is the special dance that has originated in Andra Pradesh.
• Bhamakalpam is a dance drama which derives its origin from Kuchipudi. The renowned Siddhendra Yogi in the 17th century framed this concept of Bhamakalpam dance as a special form of Performing Art in Andra Pradesh.
• Burrakatha is a special folk dance that is another form of Harikatha. It has been designed to encourage people to listen to the legendary tales and gain knowledge about Indian Mythologies.
• Veeranatyam is Shiva’s dance after he was outraged with Sati’s death and humiliation. He went on dancing with Sati’s body and it was the dance of destruction.
• Butta Bommalu is a masked dance performed in accompaniment with non verbal music. Butta Bommalu actually symbolizes toys made of wood husk, dry grass and cow dung.
• Dappu is a lively dance with colorful costumes aided by cymbals, tabla and harmonium.
• Lambadi is associated with Lambadi tribe, who perform this dance to celebrate a rich harvest or a good sowing season. Ornamentations like ivory bangles, brass anklets, ornate jewelry and glass beads are part and parcel of this dance.
• Bonalu is a dance of the female dancers in praise with the Goddess Mahankali.
• Dhimsa is a dance of the young and old alike.
• Kolattam is synonymous with the Dandia dance of Gujarat.