A very old form of dance in the state of Andhra Pradesh that has a lot of religious significance attached to it; that is Veeranatyam. This fascinating kind of dance form is also known as Veerangam and Veerabhadra Nrityam. The term ‘Veera’ literally means brave. Thus as the name of the dance form suggests it is the dance of the brave.
The illustration of Veeranatyam is found in the Hindu Mythology. Once Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati Devi was humiliated at a function. This made the Shiva-the God of destruction, furious. Lord Shiva, outraged at the humiliation met by his consort, Lord Shiva picked out a relic out of His hair or ‘Jatajuta’, which created Veerabhadra. He is believed to have portrayed out His extreme anger by performing a vigorous dance; thus justifying the name Veeranatyam. It was the dance of ‘Pralayam’ or Destruction.
The angry destructive Shiva or the ‘Pralayankar’ in the ferocity of rage tarnished the ‘Dakshayagna Vatika’, the place where the function was held.
The Veerabhadriya (Veeramusti community, changed its name recently from Veeramusti to Veerabhadriya) which claims to be the descendant of Veerabhadra, performs this vigorous dance with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha and Veeranam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, which is believed to be Dakshavatika, the birthplace of Veerabhadra
Natyam or Veerabhadra Natyam is performed by men in Hyderabad, East and West Godavari, Kurnool, Anantapur, Warangal and Khammam.
The first stage is the holding of "Veerabhadra Pallem", a huge plate carried from the palms to the elbows bearing a camphor fire. The dance goes on vigorously to the tempo of several percussion instruments until the fire is extinguished. Part of this ceremony consists of the ‘Khadgalu’ recital, where a pujari brandishes a long sword representing that of Veerabhadra.
The second stage lies in holding a long consecrated pole, marked with Vibhuti (sacred ash) representing the ‘Dhwaja Sthamba’ of the Lord with bells tied to the top.
In the third stage the performers dance with spears and tridents pierced into their ankles, hands and tongue. This is called ‘Narasam’. The dancers are dressed in colorful knee-length dhotis secured by waist-sashes smeared with vibhuti all over their body. The main percussion instrument is the ‘Veeranam’ or ‘war-drum’.
Veeranatyam initially started as a ritual that was performed in all the Shiva or the shaivite temples in honour of Lord Shiva. At present, the followers of Veerabhadra mostly perform this form of performing arts. The community is known as Veeramusti community in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Dressed in colorful ‘Dhotis’ and ‘Dattis’ the dancers perform Veerabhadra. Musical and rhythmic instruments like Dolu, Thasha, Veernam, Thambura and Soolam are used while the dance is being performed. To the rhythm of drumbeats, the dancers perform the dance of destruction. Long steps and dexterous hand movements are required for performing Veeranatyam. Draksharama in East Godavari district specially witnesses this dance form.
Veerabhadra dancer holds veera khadgam (sword) dances in synchronisation to words called 'Dhandakas' chanted by the other dancers beating simultaneously veerabhadra pallem, which is similar to war cry to challenge enemy, veerabhadra dance is very furious and expresses high degree of emotions.
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