DOLLA NRITYAM
Dollanrityam is the
dance with drums performed as a part of Beerappa festival, which marks the marriage of
Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva and draws huge crowds in the villages. The dancers are called
Beerappas. As part of the ritual the dancers follow the priest who takes the Goddess Ganga
in the procession in rhythmic circular and semi-circular movements.
 The
drummers who take up different positions and beat the drum in different variations
accompany these. Finally the drummers make the formation of a tree. Eight dancers stand in
a circle with four dancers climbing on them. The process is repeated till single drummer
stands on the top beating his drum.
The dancers are seen specially clad in a short with bells stitched on it. They also wear
ornaments like oggu, a brass naphera, bells to the ankles, a ring on the second finger of
the right leg, a golden ring on the right leg and a silver one on the left. They smear
their foreheads with vibhuti and wear swords to symbolise valour.
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