Dances in Andhra Pradesh

India's age old culture and tradition is incomplete, without mentioning the various dance forms having related to a particular period or environment. Similarly, every state of India boasts of its different classical and folk dance forms. Andhra Pradesh is also the proud owner of some of the most beautiful famous dance forms. It offers a variety of performing arts unique to its culture.

Kuchipudi Dance - The Classical Dance Form
Kuchipudi, the famous classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh derives its name from a village, situated about 60 km. away from Vijayawada. It is located just above the delta region of the river Krishna. Kuchipudi originated from a hamlet in Andhra Pradesh, called Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram in the 3rd century B.C.

Folk Dances
Apart from the classical dance form, Andhra Pradesh is also known for its tribal dances. They also contribute equally to the artistic heritage of Andhra Pradesh. Since Andhra Pradesh is inhabited by many large tribes, thus, it is rich in traditional folk and tribal dances. The folk dance forms are accompanied by the folk theater the can be seen in its regional forms almost in every region of the state. Bathakamma, Gobbi, Mathuri, Dhamal, Dandaria, Dappu, Vadhyam are a few famous tribal folk arts. The dances of the Banjaras and the Siddi tribes are also famous. These dances are generally performed on the occasion of community festivals.

Veeraanatyam
This dance form is performed by the Veeramusti community of Andhra Pradesh which claims to be the descendant of Veerabhadra. This is a vigorous dance form performed with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha & Veeranam. This community is usually found at Draksharamam in East Godavari District. It is believed that Lord Shiva, performed an aggressive dance form, outraged at the humiliation of his consort. He plucked a strand out of his long hair and created the legendary Veerabhadra.

Butta Bommalu
The Butta Bommalu is a typical folk dance form popular in Tanuku of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Butta Bommalu literally means basket toys, made of woodhusk, dry grass & cow dung. The dancers wear different mask over the head and shoulders, thus widening the range of the performer.

Dappu
This folk dance form is performed mainly in Telangana. The highlight of this dance form is an instrument made of goatskin. It is a tambourine like drum which is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm accompanied by the ankle bells worn by the dancers. Almost 16 to 20 Dappu dancers perform at a time.

Chindu Bhagavatham
The Chindu Bhagavatham dance is an alive dance form belonging to the Nizamabad district. The Chindu dancers wear colorful make-up along with even more colorful costumes. The instruments used for this dance form are cymbals, tabla & a harmonium.

Tappetagullu
The Tappetagullu is popular dance form of Srikakulam & Vizianagaram districts. This is a devotional dance form, performed in order to persuade the God of rain to bless the land with rainfall. The Tappetagullu is a prefect combination of vigor, rhythm and tempo.

Lambadi
This dance form is inspired by the daily chores of a farmer, like harvesting, planting, sowing etc. The Lambadi dance form is performed by the Banjaras, a semi-nomadic tribe found all over Andhra Pradesh.

Bonalu
The folk festival of Bonalu is celebrated in the Telangana region. On the occasion of this festival, colorfully dressed female dancers preform a difficult balancing act. These dancers balance pots (bonalu), matching to the rhythmic beats and tunes, in order to pay homage to the village deity, Mahankali.

Dhimsa
The Dhimsa folk dance is generally performed in local fairs & festivals of Araku Valley in Vishakhapatanam district. Almost 15 to 20 tribal women dressed in typical tribal attire and ornaments, form a chain and dance to the rhythm. Some of the instruments used for this dance form are Mori, Thudum & Dappu, played by the male members of the community.