Dhimsa dancers seek recognition as artists
Dancers of Dhimsa, a traditional art form of tribal people from the agency areas along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, regret that they are not recognised as artists, though the dance reflects the rhythms of Adivasi people’s daily life and labour.
Korra Dhana Lakshmi has dedicated much of her life to Dhimsa. She says, “Like other classical dance forms, Dhimsa is vibrant and colourful. Nevertheless, performance of Dhimsa dancers is not acknowledged on par with conventional dance forms.”
Pangi Arjun, the leader of a Dhimsa dance troupe, elaborates, “Dhimsa has become the official dance of agency area surrounding Visakhapatnam. ‘Dhimsa’ translates to ‘sound of feet.’ The dance is intricately intertwined with local culture, particularly in regions of Araku Valley and Borra Caves.”
Historically, Dhimsa had been performed by young, unmarried women. Participation now is not limited to this segment alone. Each movement in the dance emulates various daily tasks – gathering leaves or plants, doing agriculture, participating in marriage customs or defending oneself from wildlife.
Much like Vedas, which are sustained through practice, Dhimsa dance has endured owing to its continuous performance,” Arjun underlines.
A traditional Dhimsa dance is in natural settings, enriching the audience’s experience. At least eight female and six male artists are involved. Performers are dressed in earthy-coloured red, yellow and green tribal attire. The rhythm is provided by traditional instruments, such as the dappu, tudumu, mori, kiridi and jodukommu. The quick and energetic foot and hand movements create a captivating display, highlighting the collective energy of the dancers. The dance is a straightforward yet evocative expression of joy.
“I have been performing the Dhimsa dance since childhood; however, I am not recognised as an artist,” says Dhana Lakshmi shares. She regrets that even organisations, such as the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), are yet to acknowledge its significance.
Dhimsa performers express considerable distress over their insufficient recognition. But they dance on anyway.
