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The Mango Dance of the Konda Reddis
The Hill Reddis or Konda Reddis also called the Reddis of the Bison hills
dwell in Khamman, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. These parts
are famous for mangoes. Before plucking the mangoes, the Konda Reddis
have a ceremonial festival with a community Dance. They neither decorate
nor paint their body like the Gusadis. As an act of worship to Mutyalamma
and Konda devata, they dance rhythmically to the accompaniment of drums.
This dance commences during the night, with a gentle beat of drums.
Three to four women hand in hand with the castanet like
sound of dry nuts join the dance. The men and women both join the dance
but they form separate groups. Leaning towards the left they circumambulate
around the place. The women, while tapping the ground with the foot, take
four steps forward. This is done in a particular manner. Stepping forward
with the right foot four times, leaning towards one side, they come back
with one step in the same manner. The circle of men and women moving rhythmically
to the centre and retreating with waving arms and the clatter of nuts
provide a fascinating pattern for the dance. Keeping the feet apart and
jumping with the right and left foot alternately with the other foot forward
is another feature of this dance. The dance steps of the men are different
from those of the women. The men while stepping forward, put the right
foot first and bring the left foot up to the heel of right foot. This
facilitates stepping forward again with the right foot. The drummers and
other instrumentalists stand in the centre in the beginning, later they
join in the dances and step accordingly forward and backward along with
the whole group. The two types of drums used as accompaniment provide
regular rhythm to this foot work. When drum beats quicker, the dance also
gets momentum and vigour.
After feasting about midnight; men, women and children
again begin to dance. They also sing songs invoking Mutyalamma and the
hill gods and goddesses. This singing has some religious significance.
The song comes to an end by the time the ritual dance reaches its climax.
The groups break up and dancing, circling and jumping in frenzy, again
form into groups. This dance continues till the next morning and concludes
when fatigue overtakes them.
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