GANGIREDDU AATA

A welcome sight in every Andhra village during Sankranti is the decorated bull, clothed in multi-coloured attire moving from one house to the other led by its master who plays nadaswaram to the accompaniment of the dol (a drum). This is Gangireddulaata or the bull play, a very popular art form in Andhra Pradesh. The Gangireddu performers belong to a sub-sect of the Yadava community. They acquire bulls and train them to display remarkable feats. This is perhaps one of the very few rural entertainments that has survived the times.

The feats of the Gangireddu (bull) is indeed pleasing. It can dance rhythmically, nod in acceptance, deny in negation, kneel down and prostrate, bow down and even stretch its tongue to show it can sing! It can put its four legs in a plate or exhibit more enterprising feats such as standing on its master's chest and bowing down in reverence when he sings in praise of a donor. All the acts that the bull performs is to the accompaniment of the nadaswaram tune and the drum beat.

A popular Telugu song written by Adavi Bapiraju "Doo Doo Basavanna, Ayyagariki Dannam Pettu" describes the Gangireddu in all its intricacies. Gangireddu performers become active during Sankranti and Dasera festivals and move from village to village displaying their skills and earning money, clothes and grains in return.