KOLAATAM
 The
now famous Dandia (from Gujarat) in city, actually is no new to Andhra folks. Kolaatam as
it is called otherwise referred to as Kolannalu or kolkolannalu is an ancient folk dance
form using sticks (kola). It is known as Garbha in Rajasthan. A group of
around 8 to 40 dancers in even numbers with a leader called pennudi, kolanna pantulu or
guruvu dance to the music. The group is divided into the strikers called the
‘Ramudu’ and the receivers called the ‘lakshmanudu’. The strikers
during the dance form an inner circle called the ‘lo uddi’ and the
receivers form the outer circle called ’veli uddi’.
Originally mythological themes were used for Kolaatam. Later other romantic and humorous
themes are included. The songs of the dance are categorised into kopus, the
performance graphs of the songs that differ in the angles and movements the artists take
in the course of the performance.
The artists initially stand in a circle called ‘garidi’ With the leader
and the musicians at the center. Musical instruments like the harmonium, maddelu, flute
and sometimes a clarinet accompany the dance. The actual performance begins with an
invocation of
Lord Ganesha and is initiated and directed by the leader. The two groups take up two
different roles and dramatise an event or song.
Gauri Samvadan is the typical
Kolatam song, depicting the duel between two wives of Shiva. The special type of Kolaatam
is the Jada Kolaatam, wherein a group of 16 to 18 dancers weave a plait while
dancing and playing on the sticks and unweave it, before the completion of the song
sequence. Jada Kolatam is more popular in Vizianagaram, Cuddapah and Warangal districts of
Andhra Pradesh. |
