|
Urumulu (Thunder Dance)
Urumulu or thunder dance is found only in Anantapuram district.
The instrument employed in this dance is called urumu. It is a percussion
instrument which sounds like thunder. The instrument is made out of brass
or bell metal - a hollow round pipe. Both sides are covered with goat
skin fixed on to iron rings and tightened with ropes at the top of the
drum. It hangs from the left shoulder on the belly of the artiste
and it is tied to the right side of the waist. The left side of the instrument
is rubbed with a thin stick and the right side is beaten with a thick
stick.
The urumu dancers belong to the scheduled caste. They
are a pious and virtuous group of people who observe religious austerity
and worship goddess Akkamma. They abstain from drinking and eating meat.
They present urumu dance to please their deity. It is a ceremonial dance.
They move in circles adopting different styles and foot steps and play
on urumu. They put on big turbans and strings of beads or coins like metal
pieces around their necks. They smear their faces with turmeric
and also put on Namam on their foreheads. They wear long shirts
covering from neck to feet and an upper garment hanging from both shoulders.
While dancing they sing devotional songs on Lord Kadiri Narasimhaswami,
Dasavataras and goddess Akkamma.
|
