The ancient folklore to distress the labour is called ‘Jadakoppu-Kolatam‘ in Telangana, which gives relive to stress and make happy living with its song words and playful acts.
In this art form, each artist holds chirtal or kolas — a percussion instrument made of wood — in one hand and a saree, which is tied to a pole on the ceiling, on the other hand. With anklets tied to their feet, they go around in a circular motion, matching their rhythms and voices to a Dappu or tabla, all the while weaving a jada (pattern) with the sarees, by the end of the song and dance.
The process is nothing less than a feast to the eyes and ears. Sometimes, the songs also reflect the epic conversations of Radha-Krishna and Rukmini-Gopika.
Unlike other art forms, performers are not outsiders, but usually someone from the neighborhood. The performance, which lasts for hours, usually takes place in the middle of the village or at a temple or at a large place, which can accommodate the large number of people who come to witness the song and dance. The artists usually choose festivals such as Ugadi, Diwali or the local carnivals of folk goddesses to put up the performance.
Until a decade ago and earlier, the art form was visible in many areas of Telangana, but due to the shrinking rural cultural spaces, the art form is also slowly losing its presence. According to the existing Jadakoppu-Kolatam artists, the next generation, which is into popular culture, is not interested in learning this art form.
In Jagtial’s Allipur of Rayakal mandal, a tiny village, there are over 25 Jadakoppu-Kolatam artists who use every occasion to stage a performance in their village and neighbouring villages. The troop is even called to other places for community festivals and folk carnivals.
According to the artists, their interest and enthusiasm to sustain the art form is taking them to different places. K Tirupati Rao (36), a Telugu lecturer from Allipur of Jagtial born into an agricultural family, is an art enthusiast who is promoting the art form. Tirupati Rao gathered around 25 men, including traditional Jadakoppu-Kolatam artists, and trained young people who were interested.
Tirupati Rao said, “The way people, especially the youth, are receiving the art form has changed. Many are enjoying witnessing the performance and archiving it, while others are showing interest in learning the art form.”
Battula Nagaraju (22), a B-Tech graduate who recently joined the troop, said “I have always been fascinated by the art form. We are ready to go anywhere and perform if it helps keep the art alive. For us, money doesn’t matter.”
Neeli Reddy (60) is one of the oldest artists of the Jadakoppu-Kolatam. In conversation with #KhabarLive, he said that this art form is very inclusive as peasants from different castes are part of the performance. Neeli Reddy said that he and his companions had learned the art from a Dalit artist named Nagaiah, when he was young. “We used to play in the moonlight. Since then, we have been singing the same songs, which he taught us. All of them are folk songs, and we are getting a lot of traction.”
Historically, it was men who predominantly performed or embraced the art form, but later women also joined in.
Dr Gaddam Venkanna, professor of Folk and Tribal lore at the Telugu University, said that there was not much historical evidence on Jadakoppu-Kolatam, though it is a popular art form of folklore in rural areas of Telangana.
Speaking to #KhabarLive, he said, “Kolatam and Jadakoppu were both different artforms but seem to have become one over a period of time. Jadakoppu might have also been an extension of Kolatam as the latter finds a mention even in epics such as Bhagavatam and Basava Purana, but references to Jadakoppu were not found anywhere.”