Celebrating the new year for Andhra Pradesh has been a joyous occasion and DakshinaChitra is all set to celebrate Ugadi Utsav, the Andhra Pradesh New Year, in the traditional form from March 2–11, 2007. The nine-day festival will highlight the culture of Andhra Pradesh. DakshinaChitra will once again come alive with traditional folk performances, handicrafts and special cuisine of Andhra Pradesh.

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Since Andhra Pradesh is inhabited by many large tribes, it is rich in traditional folk and tribal dances. This year 10 folk performing artistes from Andhra Pradesh will perform the colourful Dappu dance performed by the men for all the nine days. These dances are generally performed on the occasion of community festivals mainly in Telangana. It is a vigorous dance form as Dappu is a powerful percussion instrument. It is a tambourine-like drum which is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm accompanied by ankle bells worn by the dancers. The troupe wearing colourful and traditional costumes will present a thrilling show displaying dazzling footwork, perfect synchronisation of steps with rhythmic beating of the Dappu. This dance form is also called the Tappeta in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

In addition, Andhra delicacies will be served at Kanali, the restaurant, while the craft shop will have an array of textiles like Mangalgiri - specially designed block printed Mangalgiri sarees, Kalamkari and Ikkat; toys and artefacts from Ettikopaka, Kondapalli, Chennapatna, Cherial and Kalamkari paintings.

Dakshinachtira will organise a Cherial mask and painting workshop on March 10-11 as part of the Ugadi Utsav celebration. Nageshwar Rao, the resource person, will conduct the workshop.

For more details contact: DakshinaChitra 27472603 / 27472783; Madras Craft Foundation office at 24462435 / 24918943.

For workshop details, contact Lakshmi – 98417 77779.

R Rangaraj