# Adilabad Tribals Celebrate Diwali Through Ancient Dandari Gussadi Dance as Youth Portray Nataraja to Find Partners

> In the tribal pockets of Adilabad, youth from Gond, Kolam, and Andh communities observe the 9-day Dandari Gussadi festival, performing sacred dances and finding life partners.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Culture · **Published:** 2026-11-08 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/culture/telangana-ke-adivasi-ilakon-men-divali-para-dandari-gussadi-nritya-ki-anuthi-dhuma-nataraja-banakara-yuvaka-chunate-hain-jivanasng-57864 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Adilabad, Gussadi Dance, Dandari Festival, Telangana, Gond Tribe, Tribal Culture

While most of India marks Diwali with rows of clay lamps, the tribal villages nestled in the forests of Telangana celebrate the festive season to the resonant beats of traditional drums. Located nearly 300 kilometres from Hyderabad, settlements such as Marlawai, Narnoor, and Jainoor across Adilabad turn into vibrant hubs for the ancient Dandari Gussadi festival. Members belonging to the Gond, Kolam, and Andh communities gather for this traditional observance that spans across 8 to 9 days. It is an extraordinary celebration that blends deep spiritual reverence, self discipline, and community bonding.

## Role of the Village Chief and Selection of Dancers
The commencement date of this spiritual carnival is decided entirely by the chief of each village, known locally as the Patel. Following his declaration, the celebrations typically begin right before Diwali and continue for several days after the main festival. The village head is also responsible for selecting between two and eight young men from the settlement. Known as Gussadi in the Gondi language, these chosen youths assume the responsibility of performing as the lead dancers for the entirety of the community celebrations.

## Embodying Lord Nataraja and Observing Austere Vows
The young men selected as Gussadi style their appearance after Lord Shiva in his divine Nataraja form. Each dancer carries a wooden staff designed to symbolize the holy trident or trishul of Shiva. Moving in large groups of 40 to 50 people from one settlement to the next, these troupes present elaborate performances that run through the night from 10 PM until 4 AM. During these days of ritual performance, the dancers must observe rigorous discipline. According to established custom, the Gussadi dancers are required to walk barefoot at all times and sleep directly on the bare ground.

## Dance Classifications and Traditional Matchmaking
The cultural festival features three primary forms of performance. The first is the primary Gussadi dance itself, which encompasses five distinct stylistic variations. The second variety is known as the Polak dance, wherein male participants dress in traditional women attire and perform alongside the core Gussadi members. The third form is the Adyan dance, which is rendered primarily by village women. When a travelling troupe arrives at an adjacent hamlet, young local women turn out in large numbers to witness the performances. If an unmarried woman is impressed by a dancer or a young man develops an interest, the matter is conveyed to the family elders. The elders then initiate discussions to arrange a marriage. While not the festival primary objective, it serves as a natural occasion for matrimonial alliances.

## Costume Evolution and Heritage Preservation Funding
The visual attire of the dancers has experienced notable shifts across generations. Historically, performers wore a trident shaped headdress, which has evolved into a round turban adorned with reflective mirrors and peacock feathers. In strict compliance with wildlife conservation statutes, goat skin has replaced deer hide, while some modern participants incorporate sunglasses and brightly coloured skirts. Historians trace the origins of this cultural expression back nearly 2,500 years, noting its presence in ancient Buddhist chronicles. To protect and sustain this tribal legacy, the government of Telangana sanctioned 1.5 crore rupees, distributing 15,000 rupees each to approximately 1,000 registered folk troupes.

## What this means for you
This cultural festival reinforces the preservation of India diverse tribal legacy and highlights community led heritage conservation.

- **In Telangana:** Around 1,000 registered tribal troupes are receiving 15,000 rupees each from the state sanctioned 1.5 crore rupee fund. This financial assistance ensures that artists can sustain their craft and acquire ceremonial attire without economic strain.
- **Across India:** The festival showcases how traditional communities adapt to wildlife protection laws by replacing deer skin with goat skin. It serves as an inspiring national example of heritage preservation coexisting with modern ecological ethics.
- **For tribal youth:** The ritual process fosters intense self control and community leadership among young participants. By following the strict regimen of sleeping on the ground and walking barefoot, youth maintain a vital bond with ancestral practices.
- **For cultural tourism:** The unique dance forms and seasonal gatherings generate substantial interest among anthropologists and cultural researchers. Such spotlight brings visibility to remote hamlets like Marlawai, Narnoor, and Jainoor.

## Why this happened
The Dandari Gussadi festival takes place as a living tribute to ancestral faith and inter village camaraderie among forest communities in Telangana.

- **Spiritual dedication:** Participating youths dress as Lord Nataraja to invoke divine blessings and celebrate their enduring spiritual connection with Lord Shiva. Carrying a wooden staff signifies the sacred trishul and bestows spiritual authority upon the dancers.
- **Inter village solidarity:** The seasonal migration of dancing troupes between settlements fosters deep social ties among neighboring tribal habitations. Sharing performances from 10 PM to 4 AM reinforces peaceful coexistence across the Gond, Kolam, and Andh communities.
- **Social matchmaking:** The gathering offers an organic platform for prospective brides and grooms to notice one another in a festive environment. Family elders use the cultural assembly to hold preliminary discussions and finalize formal alliances.
- **Historical preservation:** With roots reaching back roughly 2,500 years into ancient chronicles, this dance has been protected as an unbroken oral tradition. The infusion of government financial aid further motivates village heads to organize the troupes annually.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where is the Dandari Gussadi festival primarily celebrated?
It is celebrated in tribal villages of Adilabad such as Marlawai, Narnoor, and Jainoor, situated about 300 kilometres from Hyderabad.

### 2. Which communities take part in this seasonal observance?
Members of the Gond, Kolam, and Andh tribal communities jointly organize and participate in this festival.

### 3. Who selects the Gussadi dancers and how many are chosen?
The village chief or Patel selects between two and eight young men from the settlement to act as the primary dancers.

### 4. What austere rules must the selected Gussadi dancers follow?
The dancers are strictly required to remain barefoot and sleep on the bare ground for the duration of the celebrations.

### 5. What are the three main dances performed during the festival?
The performances consist of the core Gussadi dance, the Polak dance featuring men in female attire, and the women led Adyan dance.

### 6. What financial support has the Telangana government provided for this tradition?
The state government approved 1.5 crore rupees to provide 15,000 rupees in financial assistance to roughly 1,000 troupes.

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