Date:24/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/24/stories/2007022401690200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Keeping traditional folk arts alive in villages

Staff Reporter

Tourism Department organises "tholu bommalata" in Anantapur villages

FACING EXTINCTION: A `tholubommalata' being performed in Somuladoddi village near Anantapur recently.

ANANTAPUR: At a time when patronage for the traditional folk art forms is on the rapid slide the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department of Government of India has taken up a programme to popularise such art forms in association with Information and Public Relations Department and non-governmental organisations.

Puppet play was one of the most popular folk art forms in the State, more so in the Rayalaseema region, since the era of Srikrishnadevaraya.

However, changing lifestyles and the onslaught of diversified channels of entertainment have a severe impact on the patronage for rural folk arts as well as the artistes performing those arts.

Good response

The Tourism Department organised "tholu bommalata" plays (stage plays with leather puppets) in several villages of Anantapur rural and Bukkaraya Samudram mandals for the last one week.

Efforts of the department were encouraging as there was a good response from the people to the leather puppet shows. Importance of tholu bommalata in the area is signified with a saying "90 amadalu poyi ayina tholu bommalata choodali" (one should watch a leather puppet show even it means travelling 90 furlongs). In the past, rulers encouraged such art forms and the artistes, but these forms are now facing extinction due to the onslaught of cinema and television. The Central and State Governments were making efforts to popularise them.