Dappu (Andhra)

Understand

Where Dappu (Andhra) comes from

The Dappu is the Telugu-society men's drum-and-dance tradition performed with the dappu (the cowhide frame drum) — a smaller drum than the dolu of Maharashtrian folk and the dhol of the northern states. The dappu dance is a community-tradition social dance performed at weddings, festivals and rallies across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The dappu drum-and-dance has also become central to the political-rally tradition of the Telugu-speaking states, with the form used at major party meetings and demonstrations. The form is documented as one of the principal folk-arts of the Telugu rural community and is regularly performed at cultural state programmes.

How it's practiced

The Dappu is performed by a group of men at weddings, festivals and political rallies of the Telugu-speaking regions. The men dance in lines or in circle formations while playing the dappu (the cowhide frame drum slung from the neck), striking it in heavy rhythm with the hands. The dancing is energetic and includes jumps and the characteristic dips of the Dappu tradition. Music is the dappu-lead, supported by the large shehnai and the dholak. Costume is the everyday Telugu men's dress — the white dhoti-kurta, with the small coloured turban of the festivals. Performances run for several hours through the festival and at political rallies accompany the speech of the political leader.