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This dance form is widely performed in the
East and West Godavari districts of Andhra
Pradesh. The 'Garaga' means a pot. In the olden days the Garaga,
also known as 'Ghatam', made of clay, is borne only by the 'Ganachari' the
'Pujari', of the local Goddess. He goes round the village during the
festival and women from each house put cooked rice and eatables.
The
Ganachari, worshipped at each house as he is regarded as the
representative of the Goddess. The Garaga, in such circumstances, stands
for the Goddess. After the festival, the Garaga is kept in the local
temple until the next festival. The Ganachari dances to the rhythm of the
instruments and often goes into a trance.
The Festivity
'Garagalu' is a powerful dance performed by the village folk. This dance
is usually performed during the festivals of village Goddesses like
'Nookambika', 'Maridamma' and 'Pallamma'.
A pot usually made of brass is decorated with turmeric and vermilion with
a colourful cloth wrapped around it. Nearly twelve to sixteen artists
wearing a pyjama, usually in red or yellow, a kurta with folds at its
bottom, a 'datti' tied to the waist and a turban on the head dance to the
tune of music and the beats of two dappus.