This dance is a 2000-year old temple dance performed by ‘devadasis’
as a form of worship. ‘Agama Nartanam’, ‘Carnatakam’
and ‘Darbari Aatam’ are different forms of
Andhranatyam. During the period of Hinayana Buddhism, this art
form was practised as ‘Nruthyam’ or a form of worship to
Dr Nataraja Ramakrishna and Nagalakshmi are dedicated to this
is a folk dance practised in the Telangana region by newly
This dance owes its name to the use of ‘dappu’, a
‘Kolannalu’ or ‘Kol Kolannalu’
is a form of the "stick dance" performed by men and women, which
can be traced back to the 7th century A.D. In the ‘Jada
Kolatam’, a group of 16 to 18 dancers weave a plait, while
playing on the sticks and making intricate movements.
Mayura Dance: It
is practised by the Kondh tribes during marriages and
festivals. 'Pirodi' is the flute used during this dance.
Perini: The ‘Perini
Thandavam’ is a war dance performed by males. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, this dance gained popularity under the rule of the
Kakatiyas. Dr Nataraja Ramakrishna is responsible for the
renaissance of Perini.
Puli Vesham: ‘Puli
Vesham’ or the "Tiger Dance" is one of the most popular folk
dance forms in Andhra Pradesh and is usually performed in
open-air during festivals.
Siddi Dance: It
is practised by ‘Siddis’ (Abyssinians/Habshis), who
are people of Afro-Arabian origin.
is a festival dance form performed dominantly by the men folk in
the ‘Yadava’ community, mainly in the north coastal districts of
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.
Veer Natyam is performed to worship Veerbhadra, who was believed
to have been created by Lord Shiva from his ‘Jatajhuta’
or hair. It is commonly performed in Draksharama, which is
supposed to be the birthplace of Veerbhadra.
Ausaf Sayeed;'Trends in Indian Culture and Heritage',
pp.132-33, Har Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2012, 579 pages