Gangireddu brings no cheers to the performers

Nalgonda: 'Gangireddu' is a colourfully decorated bull moving from one house to the other led by its master who plays the 'Nadaswaram' during Sankranti. Bulls are trained to dance or perform acrobatics to entertain the crowd. Traditionally, the bulls are trained by the experts from 'Pooja Golla community. They acquire bulls and train them. Gangireddu earn them money, clothes and grains in return to the performance and are active during Sankranti festivals.

The feats of Gangireddu (bull) are indeed pleasing. The Gangireddu can dance rhythmically, nod in acceptance, deny in negation, kneel down and prostrate, bow down and even stretch its tongue to show it can sing. It can put its four legs in a plate or exhibit more enterprising feats such as standing on its master's chest and bowing down in reverence when he sings in praise of a donor.

But with modernization, Gangireddu seems to be losing its charm and the masters known as Gangireddula Vallu are living in pitiable condition. As their art form had only seasonal demand, they were struggling to survive in other seasons as they have no regular income.

Gangireddulu vallu, who actually belong to the Pooja Golla community, just earn Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month during normal time. During Sankranti and Dasara, the income might be a little high. This community is concentrated at Janampally, Kanagal, Narketpally, Mamidala and Mukundapuram villages in Nalgonda district.

Speaking to The Hans India, Uggam Venkanna, who was playing Gangireddulu for the last 12 years and a resident of Mamillagudem, said that though four members go along with Gangireedu, they earn only a meager amount. During the festive days, they get about Rs 600-Rs 700 a day. It takes one hour to decorate the bull as Gangireddu, he said. During the unseasonal days, they have no option but to go as daily labour. With drought conditions prevailing, even that work is not available easily, he said.

Another man in the profession, Avudoddi Thirupathi, said that they bought the trained bull from Achampet in Mahbubnagar district and Inumukonda in Guntur district. The trained bull costs Rs 35,000- Rs 45,000. In the earlier days, the community people themselves used to train the bulls, which were donated by the people.

But now, they have to purchase trained bulls which can be useful for 10 years only. Sometimes, the purchased trained bull would fail to perform after a few weeks forcing them to sell them in market as ordinary bull for which they may get about Rs 20,000 resulting in loss of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. Feeding the Gangireddu also costs more. They have to spend Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per year while the income does not commensurate with the expenditure, he added.

A Kashaiah, who is in the profession for the last 40 years, said that playing Gangireddu, particularly in the play of “Pattu”, was risky to them. In some occasions, the player would receive injuries when the bull goes wild. The person can do the work of controlling Gangireddu up to age 45 as energy required to control the bull. Later, they will shift to work of playing Sannayi and drums accompanying Gangireddu.

Another artist Ramesh said that they have demonstrated “Gandireddula Aata” during the protest demonstrations as a part of their contribution to the Telangana agitation. But the government, he said has so far done nothing for this community. The Gangireddu Vallu should be recognized on par with artistes and the government should come to their rescue, he added.