Pittala Dora

Last updated

Pittala Dora is a storyteller that visits cities during Dasara in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to entertain people through their comedy.

Contents

Background

The origin of Pittala Doras is unknown. Pittala Doras come from agricultural backgrounds and visit cities to make money. Pittala Doras dress in khakhi clad with a pith hat similar to the policeman during the British times. They also carry a wooden stick, defunct rifle or a toy, which has earned them the name Thupaki Ramudu. [1] To entertain the audience, they tell stories, lies, brag and make false promises. The tradition of Pittala Doras is passed on from generation to generation. [2] They are known to be able to talk for long amounts of time without break.

With the advent of technology, the tradition of Pittala Doras is dying down; however, politicians are interested in reviving the tradition for campaigning. [3] Pittala Doras have been subject to criticism nowadays, with some people dubbing them as beggars, and they are mainly present during the Dasara festival times. [4] The term pittala dora can also be used for someone who tells lies. [5]

Ali acted as a pittala dora in the namesake 1996 film directed by Sana Yadireddy  [ te ], the editor of the Anveshana newspaper. [6] He won the Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiranjeevi</span> Indian actor and philanthropist (born 1955)

Konidela Chiranjeevi is an Indian actor, politician, and philanthropist known for his work in Telugu cinema. Known as the "Mega Star", he is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. Chiranjeevi holds the record for the most "Industry Hits" in Telugu cinema, with eight films emerging as the top-grossers of their time—a feat unmatched by any actor in the industry's 100-year history. He is also celebrated as one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema. He has received numerous honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2006 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024 from the Government of India, as well as the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award in 2022. His other accolades include the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, three Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, CNN-IBN recognized him as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema". In 2024, he was honoured with a Guinness World Record as the most prolific actor-dancer in the Indian film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devulapalli Krishnasastri</span> Telugu poet, playwright and translator

Devulapalli Krishnasastri was a Telugu poet, playwright and translator known for his works in Telugu literature and Telugu cinema. He is known as Andhra Shelley. In 1976, Krishnasastri was honoured with Padma Bhushan, third highest civilian award in India. In 1978, he received Sahitya Akademi Award for his literary works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madiga</span> Caste in South India

Madiga is a Telugu caste from southern India. They mainly live in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, with a small minority in Tamil Nadu. Madigas are historically associated with the work of tannery, leatherwork and small handicrafts. Today, most are agricultural labourers. They are categorized as a Scheduled Caste by the Government of India. Within the Madiga community, there are various sub-castes include Bindla, Chindu, Dakkali, Mashti, Sangaris and the priestly class is known as Madiga Dasu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roja Selvamani</span> Indian actress and politician

R. K. Roja Selvamani, is an Indian politician and former actress. She served as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh since 11 April 2022 until a landslide defeat in 2024 assembly elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nandi Awards</span> Annual award in Telugu cinema and television

The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh the awards are named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi - a cultural and historical symbol of the Telugu people.

The following is a list of recipients of the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist since 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajendra Prasad (actor)</span> Indian actor

Gadde Rajendra Prasad is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu films. He is a recipient of four Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards, three SIIMA Awards, and three Santosham Film Awards.

<i>Alluri Seetarama Raju</i> (film) 1974 film

Alluri Seetarama Raju is a 1974 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Tripuraneni Maharadhi. The film stars Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala, and Jaggayya and was produced by Padmalaya Studios. Notably, it marks Krishna's 100th film as an actor and is recognized as the first Telugu film made in Cinemascope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harish Kumar (actor)</span> Indian actor

Harish Kumar is an Indian actor and film producer. He is known for his works in Telugu and Hindi movies, including Prem Qaidi, Coolie No. 1, Tirangaa, Prema Khaidi, Kranti Kshetra, Ravan Raaj: A True Story and Daisy. He has won two Nandi Awards.

Kanneboina Srinivasa Rao Yadav, known professionally as Vandemataram Srinivas, is an Indian music director and playback singer who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He has won two Filmfare Awards and six Nandi Awards. He got the prefix "Vandemataram" from the title song of the film Vande Mataram (1985).

<i>Maa Bhoomi</i> 1979 Indian film

Maa Bhoomi is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language social problem film directed by Goutam Ghose in his debut. The film is produced by B. Narsing Rao, who also wrote the film with Goutam Ghose. The film is based on the novel Jab Khet Jage by Krishan Chander on the Telangana Rebellion in Hyderabad State. It depicts a typical life of villagers under feudalistic society in the Telangana region. The film features Sai Chand, Rami Reddy and Telangana Shakuntala in pivotal roles. The plot follows Ramayya, a landless peasant who joins the Telangana Rebellion of 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AVS (actor)</span> Indian actor

Amanchi Venkata Subrahmanyam, better known and credited by his initials AVS, was an Indian actor, comedian, producer, director, and journalist known for his works in Telugu cinema. A.V.S. was known particularly for his comic dialogue delivery, and expressions. He starred in over five hundred feature films and has garnered four state Nandi Awards, including Best Comedian, and Best character actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babu Mohan</span> Indian actor, politician (born 1952)

Pally Babu Mohan commonly known as Babu Mohan is an Indian actor and politician formerly from the Bharatiya Janata Party. He prominently works in Telugu films as a comedian and is a former Minister for Labour in Andhra Pradesh. He won Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian for his role in Mamagaru.

The Nandi Special Jury Award is given by the state government as part of its annual Nandi Awards for Telugu films since 1981.

Show is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language experimental film written and directed by Neelakanta, starring Manjula Ghattamaneni and Surya. The film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and was premiered in the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India. Neelakanta received National Film Award for Best Screenplay for the film. The film also won three Nandi Awards.

<i>Pelli</i> (film) 1997 Indian film

Pelli is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Vadde Naveen, Maheswari and Pruthvi. The film was commercially successful and won a Filmfare Award and two Nandi Awards. It was remade in Tamil as Aval Varuvala (1998), in Kannada as Maduve (2000) and in Hindi as Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002).

Aishwarya Lakshmi Priya is an Indian actress who is known for her comic roles in Telugu films. She has also appeared in Tamil films. More than 500 films to her credit, she later turned her attention towards television serials. Lakshmi has received four Nandi Awards for Best Female Comedian.

Sri Ramulayya is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Paritala Sriramulu, father of politician Paritala Ravindra, directed by N. Shankar. The film stars Mohan Babu, Nandamuri Harikrishna and Soundarya. The film was a box office hit and won two Nandi Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allani Sridhar</span> Indian screenwriter and film director (born 1962)

Allani Sridhar is an Indian screenwriter and film director working mainly in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed 1988 biopic feature film, Komaram Bheem, in which he also acted. In 1990, the film won the then Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for best film on national integration.

<i>Tharam Marindi</i> 1974 film by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao

Tharam Marindi is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film won two Nandi Awards.

References

  1. "Folk art form of 'Pittala Dora' on the verge of extinct in AP and Telangana". Asianet News . Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. "వీడో పిట్టల దొర.. వినేవారుంటే గంటలు తరబడి కథలు చెబుతూనే ఉంటాడు". TV9 Telugu (in Telugu). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. Kotti, Rakesh (8 December 2018). "Dressed to brag, tales taller than towers, and a life of lies: Welcome to the world of Pittala Doras". dailyo. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. Rao, G. V. R. Subba (14 October 2013). "'Pittala Doralus' fading into oblivion". The Hindu . Vijayawada. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. "YS Jagan Mohan Reddy promises 75 per cent quota to locals in private companies in Andhra Pradesh". The New Indian Express . 7 December 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. "పిట్టల దొర" [Pittala Dora](PDF). Zamin Ryot (in Telugu). 14 July 1995. p. 9. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  7. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2024.