Burra Katha
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A Telugu storytelling theatre in which a lead narrator sings and dances with a tambura, while two companions add commentary and humour.
Folk theatreWhere: Andhra Pradesh and TelanganaOccasion: Village festivals, fairs and public awareness programmes
| Performed by | A troupe of three: the main storyteller (kathakudu) and two co-narrators |
|---|---|
| Costume | Colourful dhoti and kurta or jubba, a turban and ankle bells for the lead narrator |
| Music and instruments | The tambura (whose gourd resonator, the burra, gives the art its name) and small drums called dakki or gummeta |
How it is performed
- The lead narrator stands centre stage, strumming the tambura and keeping time with ankle bells.
- He sings the story in verse and prose, stepping and turning as he narrates.
- One companion adds jokes and comments; the other explains political or social points.
- The co-narrators beat their small drums and join in with chorus lines like 'Tandana'.
Significance
Burra Katha carried stories from the epics, local heroes and the freedom struggle to village audiences. Governments have used it to spread messages on health, literacy and social issues.