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Puli Vesahm (a tiger play) is a popular dance form all over
Andhra. It is one of the few performing forms which is popular
both with Hindus and Muslims. This vesham is usually performed
during the Dassera festival, festivals of the local deities (such
as Paidi Talli) and the "Peerla" festival (Moharram).
According
to the common belief this dance form has originated from pre
historic man’s rejoicing at the death of a ferocious animal in
his hands. This dance is the mimetic enacting of the act before
his fellow beings.
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Two participants perform the dance. One plays the role of a tiger
and the other of an archer. After a long duel, the tiger is shown
wounded by the archer. In vengeance the tiger prowls and pounces
upon the archer, but soon dies. Thus the archer emerges triumphant
from the clutches of the ferocious animal.
There are a number of steps involved in the process. The first step is
udam or jumping around. The next is circular movements followed by
Dakam or steps involving jumping backwards in rhythm.
The
dance becomes more spectacular with the arrival of the archer on the
scene. The whole body of the dancer is painted in yellow with black
stripes and spots resembling those of a tiger. The dancer’s face is
covered with a tiger mask.
The entire atmosphere becomes hilarious with the children
watching the fun with awe and fear and the elders with excitement and
thrill. |