Oggu Katha

Last updated

Oggu Dolu performance in 2023 at Hyderabad Oggu katha vinyasam in Hayat hotel.jpg
Oggu Dolu performance in 2023 at Hyderabad

Oggu Katha or Oggukatha is a traditional folklore singing, praising and narrating the stories of Hindu gods Mallana, Beerappa and Yellamma. [1] It originated among the Golla (yadav) and Kuruma (Kuruba)communities, who devoted themselves to the singing of ballads in praise of Lord Shiva (also called Mallikarjuna). [2] These tradition-loving and ritual-performing community moves from place to place, narrating the stories of their caste gods. Oggus are the traditional priests of the Golla Kurumas and perform the marriage of Mallanna with Bhramaramba.

Contents

Etymology

The story narrated about Lord Mallanna or Mallikarjuna Swamy using the instrument "Jaggu"(damarukam) is known as Oggu Katha. Used at the beginning of each story and also at the marriage festival of Lord Mallanna.

Founder of Oggu kathalu was Sri. Vallam Pedda Veeraiah which was continued by his son Vishwa Vikyatha Oggu Katha Sarva Bhoumulu Vallam Sathaiah. The stories, scripts, dialogues and lyrics on Kommaravelli Mallana, Yellama Devi, Nalla Pochamma Devi were all developed by Vallam Sathaiah.[ citation needed ]

This tradition was carried forward by the successors of Vallam Sataiah Sons Vallam Veeresham Yadav and Vallam Mahesh . They made Oggu Kathalu famous through many Stage shows, TV and Radio programs. Vallam Sataiah taught many students the complete concepts of Oggu Katha. It is because of this knowledge sharing, Oggu Katha has been spread to various parts of the country.

Vallam Veeresham Yadav is the founder of AP "Oggu Pujarula Sangham" which is based in Hyderabad providing a respectable living to many families. Inspired by his elder brother, Vallam Mahesh Yadav laid foundation to the Telangana Oggu Pujarula Sangham and is very famous for his Dolu vaidyam.[ citation needed ]

The popular names in Oggu katha artists are Chukka Sattaiah [3] made oggu katha famous worldwide. [4]

Chukka Sattaiah famous for Beerappa oggu katha, mallanna oggu katha, sri mandatha oggu katha with his melodious voice which attracts the Telangana people.

Midde Ramulu very famous in TV shows and his well-known oggu katha kalakarulu.

Many more oggu katha artists like Tarala Jangaiah, Avula Muthyalu, Erra Mallesh, Sanake Ballappa, Srisailam yadav, Mallesh yadav, Tarala Babu, Nagesh yadav, Sidappa, Krishna, Kunta Beeraiah kuruma, Kunta Chera kuruma, gajarla buggaiah, bolli raju,Gajarla Dhevaraju, etc..took the oggu kathalu to heights...

Telangana government is focusing on Propagating the culture of Oggu Katha. [5]

The group

The Oggu performers narrate the stories of Mallanna and Beerappa and Shakti ballads, of Yellamma. These ballads are in 'manjari dwipada', containing lyrical prose, recited with great oratorical and rhetorical nuances.

The team consists of four to six members. The main narrator, an assisting narrator, and at least two instrumentalists - one playing on a big drum called 'rana bheri' and the other on brass talas of a big size. Another member plays on a kanjira and the sixth one sings along with the narrator and also plays a napheera, a wind instrument, used at times of martial valor.

The performance

Oggu katha artists perform Kalyanam (marriage) of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy with his wife's Lord Golla Kethamma and Medalamma.

The narrate the stories of Lord Mallana and his sister Lord Yellama Devi. Instruments used like Jaggu (damarukam), Dolu and Thalam.

The narrator and his chorus i.e. two narrators-help in dramatizing the narration as very often, they transform themselves into two characters. The dramatization of the narrative is what gives the Oggu Katha its predominant place especially in Telangana, where Oggu Katha prevalent. The singers (oggu katha artists) and devotees visit the pilgrimage place Komaravelli Mallanna Temple every year which is located on a hill called Indrakeeladri in Komuravelli village, located in Warangal District, of Telangana state, India.

A large number of devotees visit the Mallanna temple during Maha Shivaratri when the Pedda Patnam is celebrated and also during the Agni Gundaalu which is celebrated on the Sunday falling before the Ugadi. All devotees can be seen with turmeric on their foreheads. The festive season, called as Jatara begins from Sankranti and lasts till Ugadi. Large number of devotees offer prayers to the deity on all Sundays which fall in between Sankranti to Ugadi.

Dress

The chief narrator wears a big pant tied up to the knees, a colored shirt, a colored head cloth, a colored waistcloth, and ankle bells. The other narrator also will have the same dress. More than the costume, the ornaments they have to wear are traditionally considered more important. The main narrator will have a chain made of seven shells called 'gavvala darshanam'.

There is a legend regarding this chain of shells. It was said that seven brothers of Bhramaramba (Mallanna's consort) fought with him at the time of her wedding. Mallanna defeated them and cursed them to be dogs. When Bhramaramba entreated the Lord to save them from the curse, he graced them by asking them to be Oggus and narrate his stories. The seven shells symbolize the seven brothers and are given a prominent place while narrating the story.

In addition, they wear five silver rings and five silver chains (jogirly), a wrist band (ponchi), thick silver rings (kadiyam) around the neck, to the right wrist and to the upper arm, a three - layered garland made of pagadam (sapphire) and round silver nooses (tavalam), ande and matte to the fingers of the foot and a garland with Mallana's portrait on it (ambarala golusu). During the course of action, he also wears a stick, which serves also as a sword or the chains of a horse.

Oggus Katha allows tremendous scope for dramatization. In the hands of an able narrator, it becomes a very inspiring one, because of the innumerable improvisations introduced, along with the traditional way of rendering the story.

Notable performers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karimnagar</span> City in Telangana, India

Karimnagar is a city and District Headquarters in the Indian state of Telangana. Karimnagar is a major urban agglomeration and third largest city in the state. It is governed by the Municipal Corporation and is the headquarters of the Karimnagar district It is situated on the banks of Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari River. It is the third largest and fastest growing urban settlement in the state, according to 2011 census. It has registered a population growth rate of 45.46% and 38.87% respectively over the past two decades between 1991 and 2011, which is highest growth rate among major cities of Telangana. It serves as a major educational and health hub for the northern districts of Telangana. It is a major business center and widely known for its agricultural and granite industries, earning the nickname "City of Granites."

Kuruba is a Hindu caste native to the Indian state of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They are the third-largest caste group in Karnataka. The Kuruba community is also known by the names Kuruba, Kuruma, Kurumba, Gadariya. The natives of the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are Hindu castes. It is the third largest caste group in Karnataka. Traditionally, these are Gadariya (shepherds) who used to do the work of sheep/goat and animal husbandry, in which they especially raised mixed herds of sheep and goats and cattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khandoba</span> Hindu god

Khandoba, also known as Martanda Bhairava,, Malhari,Mylaralinga,Bandarada Odeya and Malhar, is a Hindu deity worshiped as a manifestation of Shiva mainly in the Deccan plateau of India, especially in the state of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. He is the most popular Kuladevata in Maharashtra. He is also the patron deity of some warrior, farming castes, shepherd community and Brahmin (priestly) castes as well as several of the hunter/gatherer tribes that are native to the hills and forests of this region. The sect of Khandoba has linkages with Hindu and Jain traditions, and also assimilates all communities irrespective of caste, including Muslims. The form of Khandoba developed during the 9th and 10th centuries from a folk deity into a composite god possessing the attributes of Shiva, Bhairava, Surya and Kartikeya (Skanda). He is depicted either in the form of a linga, or as an image of a warrior riding on a bull or a horse. The foremost centre of Khandoba worship is the temple of Jejuri in Maharashtra. The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated in folk songs, revolve around his victory over demons Mani-malla and his marriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renuka</span> Hindu goddess

Renuka, also known as Yellamma, is a Hindu mother Goddess worshipped predominantly in the South Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and the western state of Maharashtra. She is the mother of Parashurama, the sixth avatar of god Vishnu. She was given the name "Renuka" and acquired the status of a mother goddess before eventually being associated with the legend of Parashurama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Male Mahadeshwara Hills</span> Pilgrimage centre in Karnataka, India

Male Mahadeshwara Betta is a pilgrim town located in the Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka. It is situated at about 150 km from Mysuru and about 210 km from Bengaluru. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is a pilgrim centre where Mahadeshwara lived, practiced medicine as Sidda, taught ahimsa to people in and around the seven hills. It draws lakhs of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The area of the present temple surroundings is 155.57 acres (0.6296 km2). In addition, the temple has lands at Talabetta, Haleyuru and Indiganatha villages. Amidst dense forest, the temple attracts not only the pilgrims but also nature lovers. The height of the hill is about 3000 feet above sea level.

<i>Jangam</i> Shaiva order of wandering religious monks

The Jangam or Jangamaru are a Shaiva order of religious monks. They are the priests (Gurus) of the Hindu Shaiva sect, Gurus of Veerashaiva sect and are disciples of Shiva as mentioned in Basava Puranas. The meaning of word Jangam is 'moving linga'. Jangama is one who is endowed with true spirit of Agamic knowledge, and has sacrificed his life for giving Samskara (good) character building practices in all sections of the Hindu society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sircilla</span> Town in Telangana, India

Siricilla is a town and the district headquarters of Rajanna Siricilla district in the Indian state of Telangana. It is located on the banks of Manair river in the Siricilla mandal of Siricilla revenue division. It is popularly known as Textile Town due to the presence of large number of power looms, textile processing and dyeing units. It is the biggest textile hub in the state of Telangana with over 40,000 power looms. Siricilla, along with Warangal is proposed to be developed as a mega textile zone by the Telangana government. The first Visalandhra Mahasabha in Telangana was held at Siricilla during the Visalandhra movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harikatha</span> Form of Hindu traditional discourse

Harikatha, also known as Harikatha Kaalakshepam in Telugu and Tamil, is a form of Hindu traditional discourse in which the storyteller explores a traditional theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic. The person telling the story through songs, music and narration is called a Haridasa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burra katha</span> Oral storytelling technique in the Katha tradition

Burra Katha or Burrakatha, is an oral storytelling technique in the Jangam Katha tradition, performed in villages of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The troupe consists of one main performer and two co-performers. It is a narrative entertainment that consists of prayers, solo drama, dance, songs, poems and jokes. The topic will be either a Hindu mythological story or a contemporary social issue. It became a popular art form during the Telangana Rebellion in the early 1930-1950's.

Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple popularly known as Komrelly Mallanna Temple is a Hindu temple located on a hill in Komuravelli village of Siddipet district in Telangana state, India. It is located near Siddipet on SH–1 Rajiv Rahadari. The primary deity is Mallanna or Mallikarjuna Swamy, a form of Shiva. The deity is also called as Khandoba by the Maharashtrian people. The temple is located about 85 kilometers from Hyderabad. In the year 2024, an infrastructure push by the state government laid the Foundation stone for the Komuravelli railway station to ensure easy access to the temple. The station is part of the Kothapalli–Manoharabad line.

Midde Ramulu was an Indian folklore artist. He was a popular exponent of Oggu Katha.

Patharlapahad is a village in Athmakur (S) mandal, Suryapet district, state of Telangana, India. It is located along Suryapet and Warangal highway

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamilla Shailaja Priya</span> Indian actress (born 1978)

Mamilla Shailaja Priya, popularly known as Priya, is an Indian actress. She appears primarily in Telugu feature films and television soap operas, and has also acted in Hindi and Tamil language films.

It is not easy to trace out the origins of the Telugu folk literature, for that matter any folk literature. It is as difficult as tracing the origin of a language. In other words, one can argue that the origin and existence of any folk literature can be a parallel phenomenon along with that language, because the folk expressive traditions of any ethnic group are much earlier than the language of that particular ethnic group. Need not say about the developed literature in written tradition. The cave paintings and line drawings found in different archeological sites prove the ability of the creative expressions of prehistoric human beings even before they were not able to speak. The addition of verbal creativity in latter periods has widened the folk expressive tradition in another medium that is verbal folk arts or the folk literature. Therefore, the existence of any folk literature can go back to the time of the given language correspondingly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaddadi Papaiah</span> Painter and illustrator for Telugu magazines

Vaddadi Papaiah (1921–1992), name sometimes spelt Papayya, pen-name Vapa, was a painter, cover artist and illustrator for Telugu magazines, known especially for his covers for the children's magazine Chandamama.

The Golla are a Telugu-speaking pastoral community primarily living in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with smaller numbers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are related to other pastoral-herding castes like Gulla, Gullar, Gollewar, Gavli and Dhangar and are a part of the larger Yadav community. They are classified as a Backward Caste.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temples of Telangana</span> List of temples in Telangana

The earliest temples in Telangana include the Alampur Navabrahma Temples built during the 6th century CE by the Badami Chaulukyas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Telangana</span> Cultural history of an Indian state

The Culture of Telangana in India has a cultural history of about 5,000 years. The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent during the rule of Kakatiyas, the Qutb Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties—. The rulers patronage and interest for culinary, arts and culture transformed Telangana into a multi-cultural region where two different cultures coexist together, thus making Telangana the representative of the Deccan Plateau and its heritage with Warangal and Hyderabad being its epicenter. Hyderabadi cuisine and Kakatiya architecture both from Telangana, are on the list of UNESCO creative city of gastronomy and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The regions major cultural events celebrated are "Kakatiya Festival" and Deccan Festival along with religious festivals Bonalu, Bathukamma, Dasara, Ugadi, Sankranthi, Milad un Nabi and Ramadan.

Beerayya orBheerappa is a god of Kuruma community in India. This community celebrates Beerayya Patnalu, which is celebration of God Beerayya Marriage for every five, seven, or nine years. Beernollu are the traditional priests of kuruma or Kuruba Community and perform the marriage of Beerayya with Kamaraathi.

The Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, also known as Mattapalli Narasimha Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Narasimha, the half-man half-lion avatar of Vishnu, and his consort Lakshmi. It is located in Mattampally, a village in the Mattampally mandal of Suryapet district in the Indian state of Telangana. One of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetras, the temple is located on the banks of the Krishna River, and was built in the 11th century by Anumala Machi Reddy, the king of Thangedu region after the deity appeared in his dream and instructed him to do so. The main shrine houses a swayambhu (self-manifested) idol of Narasimha as Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha, and was worshipped by sage Bharadvaja and other seers for hundreds of years before the temple was constructed. Lakshmi is worshipped here as Rajalakshmi Thayar and Chenchu Lakshmi Thayar.

References

  1. "Telangana Cultural Forum organises rally". The Hindu. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Karimnagar News : 'Oggu katha' expert Ramulu is no more". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Warangal News : On a noble mission". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. India, The Hans (8 August 2016). "Propagating the culture of Oggu Katha". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.