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Overview
As the home of rich folk tradition, Andhra Pradesh offers a
variety of performing arts unique to its culture. Kuchipudi,
the famous classical dance takes its name from a village 60
kilometers away from Vijayawada just above the delta region of the
river Krishna. It was Siddhendra Yogi who developed this form
incorporating a repertoire of religious themes. This dance-drama
enactment throbs with Telugu lyrics, Sanskrit verses and is
distinguished from other dance forms which are interspersed by
narratives making it popular and expressive.
 'Tholubommalata',
a shadow puppetry theatre is a fascinating folk art. Ornamentally
painted leather puppets locally referred to as 'Tholubommalu' take
the form of mythological characters from the two renowned epics, Mahabharata
and Ramayana. The inanimate characters are handled with
bamboo sticks against a magnificent lamp lit background.
Percussion instruments played to an intricate beat and lyrical
narration reflect the aesthetics of this entertaining folk
heritage. Tribal dances contribute in equal measure to the
artistic heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The picturesque Araku valley
that lies 112 kilometers from Visakhapatnam shelters nineteen- odd
tribes. Many of their folk dances bring colour and joy to their
religious processions and harvest celebrations. Dhimsa is
one amongst the many colorful dances that present a tribal
kaleidoscope in costume, lyric, style and zest.
Dance Forms of Andhra Pradesh
Veeranatyam, Butta Bommalu, Dappu, Chindu Bhagawatham, Tappeta
Gullu, Lambadi, Bonalu, Dhimsa, Kuchipudi.
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