Songs have similar tunes, themes as Bathukamma
Girls play Kolatam in a village in Adilabad district. (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)
Adilabad: The traditional folk dance, ‘Kolatam’, considered as ‘Dandiya’ of Telangana, is nearly becoming extinct and artisits are trying to revive it by performing it during Holi, Bathukamma and other special occasions. Dandiya would be performed during the Durga Navaratri while Kolatam is performed during ‘Bathukamma Navaratrulu’ in Telangana. The style and movement of body during the dance is the same in Kolatam as well as Dandiya. Likewise, men and women, boys and girls perform Kolatam just as it is done in Dandiya.
However, the songs differ in the dance forms. Dandiya is performed to the tunes of Hindi songs while Kolatam is performed to traditional folk songs. But, of late, Kolatam songs are getting influenced by Dandiya tunes. For Kolatam, special decorated sticks, Kolalu, are used just as in Dandiya. In some remote places, Kolatam is still being performed but not in the same vigour as was done in 70s and 80s.
The attempts to revive the traditional dance form have begun after Dandiya shot into fame and youth started taking part in it with enthusiasm. As part of the ongoing Bathukamma festivities, some Kolatam artists from Deepaidguda village in Jainad mandal performed the traditional dance at the collectorate, a couple of days ago. Men and women, girls and boys together play Kolatam to the songs sung by the elderly, supported by instruments like harmonium and ‘talalu’.
Kolatam is also played as part of ‘Jada Koppula Aata’, another traditional dance form, which is popular in only a few villages in the eastern parts of Adilabad district. Artists of “Jada Koppula Aata’ have become old and they are not able to perform it with all the grace and vigour.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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