Gussadi dance gets Baahubali boost

Adivasis performing their traditional Gussadi dance 

The well-known dance ‘Gussadi’ of the Adivasis has got recognition in the blockbuster movie Baahubali’ directed by S. S Rajamouli.

The Gussadi dance has been filmed for the first time. Adivasisi performed the Gussadi dance wearing hats made of peacock feathers during Diwali and it is synonymous with the culture of Adivasis. Adivasis are thrilled at the prominence given to the Gussaddi dance in the film.

The Gussadi dance was depicted as one of the few dances being performed as cultural programmes on the sidelines while installing the gigantic statue of ‘Ballala Deva’, ruler of the Mahishmati kingdom in the movie.

        

The Gussadi dance was shown along with another Adivasi popular dance called Kommu Koya by wearing the headgear of bison horns.

However, it is said that the Gussadi dance was irrelevant to the situation and not connected to historical story. Adivasis considered the Gussadi dance as sacred as it connected to the Diwali festival.

Adivasis men especially youth and middle- aged men are called ‘Gussadis’  and wear typical attire carrying ‘Jhola’, ‘Rokal’, with various bright colors smeared on their body and a hat made of peacock feathers.  

    

Senior Adivasis leader who was a also a cinema artist and folk singer of Gondi, Sedmaki Seetharam observed that ‘it looks unpleasant on seeing the Gussadi dance as situation did not demand it. 

It would have been appropriate if it was shown as being performed on Diwali day highlighting its sanctity, he said. The Gussadi dance was also shown in another blockbuster movie Rani Rudrama Devi.