Kolattam Folk Dance

Kolattam the Folk Dance:

This is a stick dance and a viral dance in Andhra Pradesh. The dance form originated in the Seventh century. This dance form has various names in various regions of India. In Andhra Pradesh, this dance is called KolKollannalu, Kolattam and Kolannalu.

In the early days, the dance was performed by women only; gradually, changes occurred in this dance, and now the dance is performed by both males and females. Generally, this art form is completed during village festivals. Dance is a combination of rhythmic movements, songs, and music.

The dance is performed by 8 to 40 artists as a group, and every two artists are grouped as a pair. Each holds the two sticks and moves them according to their leader’s movements. A leader is a person who handles the whole performance of the group. Two circles are formed before the dance performance, one group around the inner circle and another around the outer ring. The rings move in opposite directions by following the rhythmic dance and hit the sticks from two circle artists with rhythmic sounds.

Jada Kolattam:

This dance is also one more form of Kolatam dance. This dance is also very famous in the ruler areas. In this dance, 14 to 18 artists participate in performing. The artists weave their ponytails during the performance, whereas other dancers play with the stick and perform various dance movements using sticks. Before the song is finished, the artists use wide ribbons or ropes to interlace the plait.

Themes of Kolattam Dance:

A large number of Kolatam dancers prefer to perform the Ganga Gouri Samvadam. The theme is based on the fight between Lord Shiva’s two wives, Goddess Ganga and Goddess Parvathi.

Style of the Kolattam Dance:

Kolatam dance consists of different dance movements. Body tilting, footsteps and other body movements are essential to the dancer during the dance performance. When the song started as soon as the artists began to dance by following the vocals and music sounds. Every piece of the Kolatam includes creating called Ethugadu, then the speed of the dance change called Usi and the ending called Muktayimpu.

Mostly the kolam dance starts with the chant of Lord Ganesha. In this dance, the artists wear effortless clothes. The men wear anklet bells, dhoti, scarf over the neck and a white shirt. Women wear everyday saris, primarily yellow with red borders. During the dance performance, the musicians use musical instruments. They are Mridangam, Harmonium and a few times Clarinet.

The traditional folk art dance is unique and a perfect entertainment art for regular people.