Folk art forms, once Andhra’s signature, fading into oblivion

File picture of puppeteers from Kakinada performing Tholu Bommalata at Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI

Over 80 folk art forms that used to enthral the people of Andhra Pradesh for generations are slowly disappearing for want of patronage, so is the wealth of knowledge, distilled out of centuries of fine tuning.

Currently, cultural events are limited to hardly three or four occasions a year, with the government inviting veteran artistes to perform during Vizianagaram Utsavalu, Pydithalli Ammavari Kalyanotsavam and the like. The income from these events, however, is not sufficient to sustain the artistes. With opportunities shrinking, few are showing interest in learning these art forms, let alone making them their livelihood.

According to studies done by Badri Kurma Rao, a retired government teacher who founded the Gidugu Ramamurthy Telugu Bhasha and Janapada Kalapeetham, art forms such as Tolu Bommalata, Chekka Bhajana, Gangireddu Aata, Dasarulu, Samu Garadi, Karrasamu, Jamukula Pata, Yakshaganam and others are on the verge of extinction in the State.

Tholu Bommalata is a form of shadow puppetry from Andhra, with its roots dating back to 3^rd century. It is performed by groups of wandering entertainers and peddlers who also sing ballads, tell fortune and do acrobatics. They perform all night, enacting tales from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Jamukula Pata was famous in North Andhra districts such as Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Parvatipuram-Manyam until a few decades ago. It was performed by three artistes— one patakudu (singer) with a chorus given by two persons—in villages and entertained people from downtrodden communities.

Sanyasamma from Lakkidam in Vizianagaram district, a Jamukula Pata artiste who is now 80 years old, used to perform the art form till a few years ago. Owing to dwindling patronage and age-related ailments, she retired from Jamukula Pata in 2020, but promises to pass on the skill to those who are interested in learning it.

Tappeta gullu, a traditional devotional dance form, is also on the verge of disappearance. It is performed by shepherds to appease the rain god and Gangamma. The artistes, wearing ankle bells, play a small drum tied to their chest as they dance to devotional songs.

The artistes now get only 3-4 chances a year to do the performance. Neelaboni Satyam, a veteran artiste from Badangi of Vizianagaram district, asks the government to protect this art form. “Youth from our own families are also not coming forward to learn it, owing to a a lack of support from society as well as the government. The government needs to look into the grievances of the veteran artistes,” he said.

Puli Veshalu, a famous folk art form of Vizianagaram, is mostly confined to Vizianagaram Utsavalu, organised every year during the Dasara. A group of artistes painted like tigers move their bodies rhythmically in this art form. Veteran artiste Rongali Satyam of Burrakatha says the government should protect the culture and traditions of the State and preserve them for the posterity.

As for Harikatha, Vizianagaram was known for great artistes like Ajjada Adibhatla Narayana Dasu (1864-1945). Adibhatla Foundation member and Narayana Dasu’s grandson Adibhatla Anand has taken an initiative to encourage the artiste by organising a State Harikatha competition two years ago in Vizianagaram.

“Artistes need to have expertise in dance, music, language and other skills to entertain the audience. The government’s patronage is much needed to protect the art form, which played a vital role in disseminating knowledge about our great epics,” he added.

Vizianagaram Zilla Janapada Kalakarula Sangham president P. Shanmukha Rao urged the government to sanction special pension for the veteran artistes and help them pass on their skills to next generations.

How tourism helps

Some art forms such as Thimsa, Tappeta Gullu and Kolatam cling on to existence, thanks to patronage from a few cultural organisations in Vizianagaram. Artistes also get support from tourists visiting North Andhra holiday destinations such as Araku, Paderu and Sithampet.