Andhra Pradesh boasts of rich and varied folk dance forms, numbering more than sixty, related to specific regions and communities within the state. For several centuries now, these folk arts have become the main recreational focus for both the performers and spectators. These dance forms have been categorized as narrative or ballads, theater, folk skills and ritualistic performances.

The narrative form is a means of propagating the beliefs of a society based on religious ideologies. Tappetagullu is one such lively narrative form performed by the men folk. Confined to the three north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, Tappetagullu was originally performed by and shepherds as a ritualistic dance to propitiate the Rain Goddess, Gangamma. Eventually, it evolved into a major festival and processional dance form. Although it was predominant in the Yadava community, agricultural and industrial workers also learnt to perform and continue the tradition.

The Gangamma festival commences on the Bhishma Ekadasi day and continues till the end of the month of Vaisakha. The entire village participates in this sacred ritual. Milk and rice are offered to appease the deity and songs are rendered in her praise. After the ritual, the performance of Tappetagullu follows.

Tappetagullu is actually performed on different occasions. It is performed as a ritualistic dance to invoke the blessings of goddess Gangamma. The ritualistic pot or "ghatam" is carried by a man around the village in a procession, while the Tappetagullu performers stand ahead dancing and singing in praise of Gangamma. The second time it is performed during the night of the jatara (festival of the village goddess).

 Tappetagullu dance is also performed during the Dasavatara festival when Lord Vishnu is worshipped. The dancers sing in praise of the Lord with fervor and devotion describing in a ballad form, the Dasavatara stories (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu).

The dancers usually have a drum about 8 inches in size tied around their neck. "Tappeta gundu" is a small drum closed on either side. Made of thick tin plate, it is covered with lamb's skin on the sides. In the days of yore, the metal part of the drum was made of clay.

About 15 to 30 dancers are seen mostly during village festivals and family rituals. The dancers are dressed in a quaint colorful attire. This includes a tight half shirt, a half trouser, a cloth turban, a long waist cloth with a part hanging down, three layers of bells stitched to the trouser and bells tied to the anklets. The tappeta (drum) hangs around their neck, touching the chest.

With the rhythmic beat of the drum coupled with the tinkling music of the bells, the performers sing and dance to enthrall thousands of villagers. The lyrics of the song of the Tappetagullu performers usually contain a narrative taken from the Bhagvatha and Ramayana. Sometimes local legends also serve as narratives. Some innovative performers compose humorous songs too, to highlight some common social themes.

The performance usually begins with an invocation to God. Each episode of the narrative is danced in a particular tala. Within each tala, the tone and pace go on increasing the tempo of singing and dancing. Each song and dance sequence ends with a logical conclusion. The dancers also exhibit exceptional acrobatics and skills. They do the balancing act well by standing one on the other to form a human tree or dancing on a pot. Sometimes they skillfully display the dance 2-3 pots full of water on their heads!

The Tappetagullu form is thus a combined performance of entertainment and devotion. This vigorous dance form has also come to be the most popular ballad being performed at important cultural festivals in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere.