DAPPU NRITYAM
 Dappu
Nrityam is dancing to the tunes of ‘Dappu’, a form of a drum that enthralls the
audience till date. The dance is performed mainly in marriages and temple processions. The
performers wear a special costume of a thalapaaga (head turban), dhoti, a datti
tied to the waist and ankle bells. They form a circle and dance to the tunes of the Dappu
with special steps (Adugus). The performance begins with an invocation called
"Pradhana dappu" when the dancers move slowly in a circular way. The
performances vary depending on the type of these steps.
Ata Dappu – includes steps with long moves on the side ways.
Okka Dappu – includes one step forward and one step backward.
Samidika Dappu – includes two leaps upwards.
Gundan Dappu - includes one step in the side ways and the other in a
circular way.
The simple percussion instrument "Dappu" got its name from ‘dhup’
that it produces. This has a circular wooden frame, of one and a half feet diameter,
usually made of Neem wood called ‘palaka’ in Coastal Andhra. Cleaned and
cured skin of a he-buffalo is fitted into this frame. Goat or lamb skin is used as an
alternative. The curing of the skin, which is the most important part, is an art by
itself. Two sticks of about 9" length are used to beat the dappu to produce different
rhythms. Of these sticks one is thicker called ‘sirre’ than the other
called the ‘sitikena’.
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