Burrakatha

Burrakatha is a traditional form of performing arts that is very famous in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a kind of story telling that is widely practiced in Andhra Pradesh. The term 'burra' means 'tambura'. It is a stringed instrument that produces musical sound. The term 'Katha' means speech or story.

Burrakatha is a dramatic form where the narrator recites a tale through a song. As the storyteller sings out the song, he also dances to the rhythm of the song. He is the main performer and is known as kathakudu. On stage, one or two performers accompany the kathakudu. With his right hand, the kathakudu plays the tambura.

The main dancer responds to his companions occasionally. These two co-performers play 'dakki', a two-headed earthen drum. It is integral part of the Burrakatha performance`. The one who is on the firth side of the kathakudu is called 'rajkiya'. His main task is to make the audience aware of the contemporary social issues and political matters, irrespective of what the main story is. The audience knows the drummer on the other side of the main performer as 'hasyam' and he offers comic relief to the audience by cracking humorous jokes.

Generally, there are three parts of a Burrakatha story. These are the historical, mythological and sociopolitical segments. The performance usually starts with songs about Gods, in the evening. The performer then presents the central story by introducing the action's place, time and historical context, while the 'hasyam' and the 'rajkiya' repeat the catchphrase of the story.

Last Updated on 19 May 2011