VEERANATYAM
 Veeranatyam literally means the dance of the brave.
This is a vigorous dance originated as a ritual in honour of Lord Shiva or Veerabhadra and
performed in all Shivite temples that has now transformed into an art and is being widely
performed in the processions and also in marriages and vow fulfillment ceremonies. The
dance includes long steps and dexterous hand movements depicting the themes of Dakshayagnya.
The dance is performed with burning flames lit to the tridents and spears that are pierced
into the bodies of the dancers. The dance ends with a mangala harati given to Lord
Shiva by the flaming tridents.
The celebration involves vigorous forms of
worship like –
- Holding of Veerabhadra pallem –
the dancers hold a big plate carried from palms to the elbows with burning camphor. They
dance to the various musical accompaniments until the flame extinguishes. The pujaris
continuously recite slokas during the entire performance.
- Dancing with a large consecrated pole decorated with vibhuti
inserted into the datti tied to the waist of the performer.
- Vigorous dancing with feats of devotion like piercing the
sharp edged tridents into the flesh of the performer’s body. All these feats called ‘narasam’
awe-inspires the spectators and keeps them spell bound.
Veeranatyam is performed by
the Veeramusti community who claim themselves to be the descendants of Lord Shiva. They
dance to the rhythm of beating drums accompanied by other instruments like Thambura, Dolu,
Thasha and Veeranam. The dancers clad themselves in colorful dhotis tied up to their knees
and dattis (piece of cloth tied around the waist), wear ankle bells and smear vibhuti
(the sacred ash) all over the body with a mark of vermilion over the forehead.
Veeranatyam is popular in the East and West Godavari, Kurnool,
Ananthapur, Warangal and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh. The legend attached to its
origin speaks of Veerabhadra. Lord Shiva gets outraged by Daksha for insulting his wife
Satidevi, who sacrifices her life, in the sacrificial ceremony being performed by him. Out
of the fury, Lord Shiva created Veerabhadra, the warrior, from his sweat drop and sent him
to disrupt the Yagnya at once. Veerabhadra then destroys the same and killed Daksha.
Veeranatyam thus is said to be the celebration of this victory. |
