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

Over 80 fading folk art forms in Andhra Pradesh need patronage to preserve centuries-old cultural wealth.

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 3rd 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.