Andhra Natyam – Traditional Dance of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Natyam dance is a part of the grand showcase. This dance shares history with Vilasini Natyam. When the Devadasi Act came into being, many traditional dances were prohibited. 

Forgetting Andhra Natyam

Andhra Natyam was performed by temple dancers earlier. Their performances were restricted to temples mostly. After the prohibition of dancing in temples during British era, these dance forms expanded into other public places like courts and theaters.

This dance form faded during the rule of the Mughals. The rest of it was sent into oblivion during the British. Thankfully, Padmasree Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna found some Andhra dancers who knew Andhra Natyam. He succeeded in reviving it after a lot of research in the 1970s.

Andhra Natyam History

Andhra Natyam is one of the oldest dance of south India. Although a definite timeline can not be decided, there is some evidence that proves that it’s at least a thousand years old.

The dance has two main streams –

1. Lasya– female dance and,
2. Perini- dance of the male warrior.

Lasya dance is further divided into three streams.

1. Aradhana Nrithyam- In which music and dance are used to invoke god and worship them.
2. Asthana Nruthyam- The dance done in the court of the king for his pleasure. 
3. Parijata Nrithyam- In this dance performers used to do the act of Krishna and his beloved wife Satyabhama.

The third part which was a public part has said to come in this form a little later then Aradhana Nrithyam or Asthana Nruthyam.  

Dance Performance

Andhra Natyam is a truly religious dance. The recreation of it followed a similar trend. The dance starts with the recital of hymns which are called Kumbha Hariti. These hymns are used to pray to God. Later flowers are scattered which is called Pushpanjali. It is another action to invoke God. It is followed by a short expressional Nritya.  

Andhra Natyam legacy is very rich. Owing to it, several representations have been made to include it in the list of the classical dances of India. However, low public support has been the reason for it not getting the classical status.

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