In order to preserve the ancient art of Oggukatha and Oggudolu , a traditional folk form of singing and dancing with drums, the Telangana State Language and Culture Department, in association with the district Oggubeerla Artists’ Welfare Association, has embarked upon an ambitious task of teaching the Oggudolu art to the younger generation.
With senior Oggudolu artistes unable to perform due to old age and the younger generation not keen on pursuing it, the government and the district Oggudolu artistes have launched a 19-day training programme for youngsters to preserve the age-old folk music form to entertain people. Training is being imparted at the Sri Beerappa temple on the outskirts of the town amid serene atmosphere.
Ancient art form
Oggudolu training is being provided by Erla Mahipal, an Oggudolu artiste and native of Tadijerri village of Gangadhara mandal. An MBA graduate, he had left his call centre job to take up the art as his profession and teach the art form to the younger generation in the district.
Earlier, Oggudolu artistes confined themselves to storytelling about the Hindu gods Mallanna, Yellamma and Beerappa etc. Now, they have changed the format, adding dance performance for entertainment of the audience, says Mr. Mahipal. “We have added adugulu and dharuvulu (steps and beats) to traditional drum beats and performing 32 varieties of drum beats and dance forms including acrobatics, sivathandavam , teenmaar,paanchpataka , omkaram , kolatam, etc,” he said.
New elements
During the training, the drum beaters are being trained in rhythmic beating and dancing to attract the audience, he said and added that they were also training the students on formation of pyramids and beating drums. Further, tips are given to the trainees on the importance of storytelling to captivate the audience.
Oggukatha is still popular in rural areas. Mr. Mahipal says they were invited to perform in functions and during a death in the villages. Moreover, with elections round the corner, Oggudolu artistes are in much demand. “Politicians hire us for taking out rallies and during the electioneering, to add glam to the campaigning,” he said.
The executive-turned artiste said he would continue training the younger generation on a regular basis to protect the ancient art from extinction.
Response from the younger lot, including school and college students, is encouraging as they are showing interest in learning Oggudolu performance. Mahesh, a trainee, said it is helpful as they are learning different forms of drum beats and dance to entertain people.
