Kolatam artistes of Karimnagar add glitter to Tirumala fete

A total of 18 agile artistes who came all the way from Karimnagar enthralled thousands of ardent devotees who thronged the famed Tirumala temple to witness the annual Brahmostavams organised by Tirupati Tirumala Devstanams (TTD). These artistes, who were part of the Kolatam troupes added colour to the ongoing Brahmostavams, sending the onlookers to a divine frenzy.

The troupes and their awe-inspiring performance have been an integral part of any procession of the deity. Cultural activities have become the centre stage in all vahana sevas. These troupes were encouraged to promulgate the greatness of god. Concerts, traditional dance troupes, Kolatam teams, drummers, fancy dresses and whatnot, devotees rush to Tirupati from across the State to participate in any Brahmotsavam either in Tirumala or in Tiruchanoor or any other local temples of TTD. Some troupes even come from the neighbouring States.

Apart from the Mangal Vaidyams, elephants, horses and other paraphernalia, the performance of these dancers before the Vahana Seva, on one hand, adds glitter and on the other, an opportunity to showcase their talents. The discipline and coordination in their performance is worth to watch.

Presently, Kodanda Ramaswamy Brahamotsavams are underway in Tirupati. They dancers said they came here to serve the God in their capacity as artistes. “We worship God. It gives us satisfaction. We can perform here for three days. What else do we want?” they asked.

The team of 18 artistes of Jaya Sreerama Kolata Mandali who came from Karimnagar to perform here, learnt Kolatam two years back. So far, they have given eight performances. They also went to Haryana to show their talent in Surajkund International Crafts Mela during February 2017. “All those programmes are very different.

Performing at the TTD temples is different. So many temples are here. And when we get a chance to perform here, we feel proud,” they said. They don’t even know what remuneration they are going to get in the form of TA or DA from Dasa Sahitya Project of TTD. They only want recognition and a chance to perform in the coming Sri Vari Brahmostavams, said the troupe leaders K Rajitha and D Bhavani.

Another troupe of 20 came from Athaluru near Rajahmahendravaram. They have been performing for the last eight years. They say that the TTD has provided accommodation in Govindarajaswamy choultries and will be paid travelling allowance also. “Our goal is to make people happy so that the God will bless us,” said the leader T Mahalakshmi of Sri Rama Bhajana Mandali.

The TTD, as part of their mission of Hindu Dharma Pracharam, is allocating huge budget towards propagating Sanatana Dharma through Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishat, Dasa Sahitya Project, Alwar Divya Prabandha Project etc.

They have been conducting several programmes in every nook and corner of the two Telugu States and encouraging Bhajana Mandals. There is heavy demand from various troupes to perform in TTD processions especially in Tirumala. The TTD authorities are taking every care in selecting the teams according to their talent and providing them an opportunity.

By V Pradeep Kumar