Gussadi dance
Tribal dance from the state of Telangana, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gussadi dance is a traditional folk dance form deeply rooted in the cultural practices of the Raj Gond tribes, particularly in the Adilabad district of Telangana, India,[1] as well as parts of Maharashtra. It is performed by Dandari groups during the diwali festival, an event celebrated annually by the Gond tribes, typically lasting for nine days around the time of Diwali. The festival is a rich display of tribal customs, symbolizing civil manners and social unity. Kanaka Raju popularised the rhythmic dance of Gussadi In 1982,[2] who received padma shri in 2021.
Dandari festival and dance performance
The Dandari festival starts with the day of "Bhogi" by worshipping Aethmasur pen and instruments used in Gussadi dance like Parra, Vette, Kodal etc..and ends with the day of "Kolabodi". During this period, dandari troupes consisting of men and women travel from one village to another performing gussadi and other traditional dances. The dancers wear powerful dresses and ornaments, including turbans decorated with peacock feathers, deer horns, artificial moustaches and beards as well as saffron and yellow coloured dresses. They also wear garlands and straps on their legs and waist, carrying the crew as they dance in rhythm to tribal instruments. .[3]
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Gussadi is a famous traditional dance from the state of Telangana in India. It is performed by the Raj Gond tribal people. These people live in the Adilabad district of Telangana and parts of Maharashtra. The dance is a main part of the Dandari festival. This festival happens every year during the Diwali season.
The Gussadi dance is a symbol of respect and culture for the Gond people. It lasts for nine days. During these nine days, the dancers follow strict rules and live a simple life. They perform other dances too, such as the Chachoyi and the Rela dance. The Rela dance is usually performed by women.
History and Culture
The Gond people are one of the oldest tribes in India. They have a very rich culture. The Gussadi dance is a way for them to show their history and thank their gods. The festival of Dandari starts on the day of Bhogi. On this day, the tribes pray to their goddess, Ethmasur.
They also pray to their musical instruments. These instruments include the Ghumela, Parra, Vette, and Kodal. After the prayers, the men put on their Gussadi clothes. They believe that wearing these clothes makes them holy for the duration of the festival.
Appearance and Costume
The Gussadi dancers have a very unique look. People can recognize them easily because of their special clothes and accessories.
The Hat: Dancers wear a very large hat made of peacock feathers. This hat is called a Malpuve. It often uses more than a thousand feathers.
The Body: danceres rub ash on their bodies. They also wear fake beards and mustaches made of hair or wool.
The Skin: They wear a piece of goat skin or deer skin around their waist.
The Stick: Every dancer carries a special wooden stick called a Gangaram Sota.
While the Gussadi dancers look very different, the other men in the group are called Diyurs. They wear a simple white cloth called a dhoti and a headscarf. The women who dance are called Diyang. They perform the Rela dance separately from the men.
The Dance Steps (Methods)
The Gussadi dance is not just random movement. It follows a set of rules and steps. There are seven main types of dance moves. These are called Edum Chaal (Seven Moves).
The Seven Moves
Sur Chaal: This is the starting move. The word "Sur" means "Start." A few people play the drums in a slow rhythm. The Gussadi dancers stand in lines. They move their sticks forward and sideways while jumping slowly. This move is like saying "hello" or "namaste" to the crowd. Gussadi Chaal: Dancers bend down a little. They move their right leg and their stick at the same time to the beat of the drums. Mahadevana Chaal: This is a spiritual move. It is named after a god. The rhythm of the drum changes to a faster beat. Urum Chaal: In this step, the dancers act like a monitor lizard. They move close to the ground. Hedge Chaal: Dancers act like a bear. They jump and move forward in a heavy way to match the drum sounds. Animal Moves: The sixth move often imitates other forest animals. Sakshi Chaal: This is the last move. It is the fastest part of the dance. Dancers hold their sticks with both hands. They spin very fast in an 'S' shape. At the end, there is a loud "Dham" sound from the drum, and all the dancers jump high and stop at once.
Traveling Between Villages
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A very important part of the Dandari festival is traveling. A group of dancers from one village will go to visit another village. This group is called a Dandari Troupe.
When they reach the edge of a new village, they play a large drum called a Thudum. This tells the village that guests have arrived. The people of the village come out with their own drums to welcome them. This is a very happy time. The host village washes the feet of the Gussadi dancers to show great respect. They eat together and dance together. On the final day, the festival ends with a ceremony called Kolabodi.
Musical Instruments
Music is very important for the Gond tribes. Without these instruments, the dance cannot happen.
| Instrument | Description |
|---|---|
| Ghumela | A drum made of clay and animal skin. |
| Thudum | A large drum used to make loud announcements. |
| Dappu | A small, round hand drum. |
| Pepre | A wind instrument that sounds like a flute or trumpet. |
| Kalikom | A long, curved horn made of brass or wood. |
| Parra | A rhythm instrument used to keep the beat. |
Famous Artists: Gussadi Kanaka Raju
The most famous Gussadi dancer in history was Gussadi Kanaka Raju. He lived in the village of Marlavai in the Kumuram Bheem district of Telangana. He spent over 55 years teaching and performing this dance.
Kanaka Raju was a very respected man. In 1982, he performed the Gussadi dance at the Red Fort in Delhi for the Republic Day parade. He performed for important leaders like Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
In 2021, the government of India gave him the Padma Shri award. This is one of the highest honors in the country. He was recognized for keeping the tribal culture alive. Sadly, Kanaka Raju passed away on October 25, 2024. People still call him the "Gussadi King."[4][5]
Modern Times
Today, the Gussadi dance is famous across India. The government of Telangana helps to promote it during state festivals like Bonalu and Ugadi. It is often shown at the Republic Day parade in Hyderabad. This helps young people learn about their history and keeps the Gond culture strong.
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