Gussadi dance

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, as well as parts of Maharashtra. It is performed by Dandari groups during the Dandari 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.

Dandari gussadi dance festival

Dandari festival and dance performance

The Dandari festival starts with the day of "Bhogi" 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. .

Dance form and attire

The Gussadi dance is performed exclusively by men, organized into groups called Dandari, with smaller groups known as Gussadi. The dancers’ attire is distinct, featuring headgear decorated with peacock feathers, deer antlers, and traditional accessories made from goat skin. Their shirts are often colored with "vibhuti" (sacred ash), adding to the ceremonial look. They carry staffs and are adorned with garlands, enhancing the visual appeal of the performance.

Instruments and accompaniment

The music accompanying Gussadi dance is crucial to its rhythm and vibrancy, involving instruments like the Dappu (a percussion instrument), Tudumu, Pipri, and Kolikammu. Women, who perform separate dances such as the Rela dance, contribute to the overall festive ambiance, making the Dandari festival a community-centered celebration.

Instruments used in dandari are

• Bubble
• Para
• Vette
• Kalikom
• Pepper
• Tudum
• Dappu
• Petty

Cultural significance and rituals

A special aspect of the Gussadi dance is the ceremonial respect shown to the artists after the dance, where the villagers wash the feet of the dancers. This gesture underscores the cultural significance of the festival in the society. The ritual aspects of the festival, such as the worship of the deity Etmasur on the day of Bhogi, highlight the combination of spiritual and social factors that define the Dandari festival.

References

Gussadi Artists Performance in Independence Day Celebrations at Golconda Fort (15.08.2017) 01