Vishakhapatnam: Folk artistes hog limelight at 'Dasara Sambaralu'

Gala time for weekend crowd

• Tiger dance is another big attraction
• మరగళ్ళ బిందెల (Maragalla bindela) dance impresses visitors

VISAKHAPATNAM: Folk artistes playing 'Tappetagullu', 'Samu garidi' an `Karrasamu', `Budabukkalavallu' and Dhimsa dancers descended on Kailasagiri and were seen performing to the delight of the weekend crowd on Saturday evening.

The dancers caught the attention of city folk and tourists from other states who visited Kailasagiri in large numbers. The tiger dance was another big draw. The artistes who painted their bodies and covered their head with the mask of a tiger `pounced' on Dhimsa dancers who took a break.

The `maragalla bindela dance' troupe standing on long sticks tied to their legs and holding water containers (bindelu) impressed the crowd with their swinging and swaying. One of the members of the troupe was dressed as goddess Durga holding a trident and a crown adorned the head.

An idol of goddess Durga was installed beside the stage erected for presentation of cultural programmes during the 10-day festival. Children had a gala time shaking hands with the inflated dolls. A team from Swami Narayan Mandir at Bhuj in Gujarat was impressed by the cultural treat atop the hill. "This is the first time I am in Vizag. We came here to enjoy the scenic beauty from atop the hill. The view is breathtaking and we had the bonus of knowing your folk culture. I never knew that such traditional folk culture exists in this part of India," said Swami Akshar Prakash Dasji, the team leader.

There will be surprise gifts and prizes for visitors based on a draw of lots taken from the entry tickets taken during the festival.

Something new

VUDA Chairman P.S.N. Raju and Vice-Chairman G. Venkatram Reddy who participated in the inaugural function said that `Dasara sambaralu' is being held atop Kailasagiri to give something new to the visitors.

Courtesy: The Hindu