Dhimsa Dance:
Tribal families from Neelabandha, a hillptop hamlet in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh received electricity for the first time after Independence and performed ‘Dhimsa’ in excitement.
- Dhimsa Dance is a popular tribal dance performed by tribes, including Bagata, Valmiki, Poraja, Khond, Gadaba, Kondadora, Mukadora, Kotia in Andhra Pradesh.
- It is performed during festivals, weddings and at the time of the “hunting festival” in April when men and women dance for hours together.
- There are 12 varieties of Dhimsa and its origin can be traced to the Koraput Area the home to Ghond Tribe.
- It is accompanied by wind and percussion instruments, the dance changes by the music, and a troupe comprises 20.
- Themes of dance: Various themes of the Dimsa, are woven around their mythologies, folktales, ethos, mores, economic activities and their kinship and marital life etc.
- Musical instruments like dappu, tudumu, mori, kidgi, gilka, and jodukommulu are used.
- Dhimsa dance is done in a circle with each other’s arms closed at each other’s back.
- This dance is mainly a movement of hands and legs. Dancers form small or big circles and perform together as a team.
