Telangana govt releases 1 cr for Dandari-Gussadi dance festival

The State government released Rs 1 crore for the conduct of Dandari-Gussadi dance festival for the first time. The government’s move cheered tribals of the erstwhile Adilabad district.

Incidentally, no earlier government had recognised the festival, nor allocated any grant for this dance fete.

“Gussadi is an ancient folk dance form of aboriginal tribals. Dandari troupes perform it during the festival for a fortnight. In spite of rich significance, successive governments failed to recognise the religious and cultural affair. With State government sanctioning the grant, a sum of Rs 10,000 is being given to each troupe,” Kanaka Ambaji Rao, a teacher from Marlavai village in Jainoor mandal said.

Come Diwali, the cultural and spiritual exuberance pervaded the habitations belonging erstwhile Adilabad district with dancing troupes or Dandaris presenting their deft moves to folk songs and drum beats. The fervor of the affair grips the Adivasi habitations across the highland Adilabad district.

The tribals including Raj Gonds and Kolams perform traditional rituals to mark the commencement of the dance season. They



worship the large crowns made of peacock feathers and musical instruments used by troupes as a prelude. The troupes visit neighboring villages to showcase their dancing skills. Youngsters, who are part of these troupes, can get an opportunity to impress a girl and marry her by making deft moves.

As part of the festival, the ethnic tribes play satirical skits depicting socio-economic conditions by presenting characters of those who exploit and harass the Adivasis. They conclude the affair by revering Goddess Lakshmi on the day of the festival of lights. Troupes, consisting of female dancers, would start the dance show.

Meanwhile, Rs 30 lakh was sanctioned for construction of a temple of Pamdalpuri Kako at Gudirevu village in Dandepalli. Devotees and tribals thanked the government for building a permanent structure for the deity.

The Danadri troupes visit and perform special prayers at the ancient shrine as a prelude. The tiny village would become alive with the congregation of the troupes and tribals belonging to several parts of Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.