Songs of lore: The folk soundscape of Telangana

The lawns at Ravindra Bharathi reverberated with the sound of spectacular songs telling the folk tales of Meera Saheb, Bandllola Kurumanna, Vengal Reddy, and Panduga Sayanna on Wednesday. The government of Telangana has started showcasing programmes of folk artists of the state. An example is a group of nearly 12 Kinnera folk singers from Mahabubnagar region. The artistes sang of the long-forgotten heroic deeds of benefactors of the downtrodden. The revolutionary, rhetoric style of rendition urged listeners to pay attention to the happenings in society.

Nomadic folk singers belonging to the Dakkali caste have been an inalienable part of Telangana’s cultural history. These performers, who are still to be found in districts including Mahabubnagar, Wanaparthy, Vikarabad and Ranga Reddy, have managed to sustain their folk traditions. One of the ways they have done this is by reciting the Jambavapuranam, especially for members of the Madiga community to collect donations in cash or kind.

Their songs are usually accompanied by the sounds of nine or 12-fretted Kinneras — musical instruments made by the performers themselves. Renikunta Yadaiah, Anantaiah and Timmaiah, three brothers from Yalal mandal in Vikarabad district, continue to carry on the tradition of singing despite the hardships they face. “It takes about two months to make the Kinnera. We use honey, lac, cloth ash, dried bottle gourd shells and wood to build the frets,” Timmaiah said.

Renikunta Pochappa from Makthal mandal in Mahbubnagar district is teaching his grandson Satish his craft in the hope that he will carry on the tradition. “It has not been an easy journey. After the formation of  Telangana, we are slowly but surely getting recognition. I showcased this rare heritage at the second international seminar organised by the Department of Archaeology and Museums at the MCRHRD Institute in Hyderabad. Delegates were highly appreciative,” Pochappa said.