Kolatam unique to TS: Navaratri,Bathukama and Dandiya

 Girls playing Kolatam in Adilabad  

The traditional folk dance ‘Kolatam’, considered as ‘Dandiya’ dance of Telangana, is nearly becoming extinct and artists are trying to revive it by performing it during Holi, Bathukamma and other special occasions.    

Dandiya would be performed during the Goddess Durga Navaratri while Kolatam during the ‘Bathukamma navaratrulu’ in the Telangana.

Style and movement in the dance is the same in Kolatam as well Dandiaya. 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 the traditional folk songs. But, of late, Kolatam songs are getting influenced by Dandiya tunes. For Kolata, special decorated sticks Kolalu, are used just as in Dandiya. In some remote places, Kolatam is still being performed but not in the same vigor 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 ongoing Bathukamma festivities, some Kolatam artists from Deepaiguda village in Jainad mandal performed the traditional dance at 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 Ata’, another traditional art form, which is popular in only a few villages in the eastern part of Adilabad district. Artists of ‘Jada Koppula Aata’ have become old and they are not able to perform it with all grace and vigor.

Puli Pochanna of Adilabad town who was playing an active role in revival of traditional folk dances ‘Kolatam’ and ‘Jada Koppula Ata’ said people playing Kolatam during Bathukamma were not following the original steps and rhythm on special songs of Kolatam instead imitating the Danidya style of dance and songs and observed that with the influence of Dandiya, Kolatam will lose its uniqueness.

He said Telangana government should take steps to revive the traditional folk dances and arts forms like ‘Kolatam’ and ‘Jada Koppula Ata’ and many other dances which are unique for the Telangana and to popularize them.