Pittala Dora
Pittala Dora is a storyteller that visits cities during Dasara in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to entertain people through their comedy.
Background
[edit]The origin of Pittala Doras is unknown. Pittala Doras come from agricultural backgrounds and visit cities to make money. Pittala Doras dress in khakhi clad with a pith hat similar to the policeman during the British times. They also carry a wooden stick, defunct rifle or a toy, which has earned them the name Thupaki Ramudu.[1] To entertain the audience, they tell stories, lies, brag and make false promises. The tradition of Pittala Doras is passed on from generation to generation.[2] They are known to be able to talk for long amounts of time without break.
With the advent of technology, the tradition of Pittala Doras is dying down; however, politicians are interested in reviving the tradition for campaigning.[3] Pittala Doras have been subject to criticism nowadays, with some people dubbing them as beggars, and they are mainly present during the Dasara festival times.[4] The term pittala dora can also be used for someone who tells lies.[5]
In popular culture
[edit]Ali acted as a Pittala Dora in the namesake 1996 film directed by Sana Yadireddy, the editor of the Anveshana newspaper.[6] He won the Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Folk art form of 'Pittala Dora' on the verge of extinct in AP and Telangana". Asianet News. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "వీడో పిట్టల దొర.. వినేవారుంటే గంటలు తరబడి కథలు చెబుతూనే ఉంటాడు". TV9 Telugu (in Telugu). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ Kotti, Rakesh (8 December 2018). "Dressed to brag, tales taller than towers, and a life of lies: Welcome to the world of Pittala Doras". dailyo. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ Rao, G. V. R. Subba (14 October 2013). "'Pittala Doralus' fading into oblivion". The Hindu. Vijayawada. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "YS Jagan Mohan Reddy promises 75 per cent quota to locals in private companies in Andhra Pradesh". The New Indian Express. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "పిట్టల దొర" [Pittala Dora] (PDF). Zamin Ryot (in Telugu). 14 July 1995. p. 9. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2024.