Oggu Katha - Oral Storytelling Theatrical Performance of Telangana

Oggu Katha is a traditional folklore singing praising and narrating the stories of the Hindu God Mallana. Mallanna Katha which is performed by the Oggu Pujarulu (minstrels) to their patron community, the seven Kurumas / Gollas. Mallanna Katha is their caste myth, which narrates the exploits of Mallanna their caste hero. As the Mallanna Katha is narrated using a particular percussion instrument called as "Oggu" by "Oggu Pujarulu" it is popularly termed as Oggu Katha.

 In other words, Oggu Katha is the style of narration, which belongs to a distinct genre with an admixture of song-speech-dance-sequence performed by 5 to 7 performers having a lead narrator within them. They also narrate stories on  Beerappa,  Yellamma, Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha. It is one of the well-known folk art forms of the Telangana region. 

It originated among the Yadav & Kuruma Golla community, who devoted themselves to the singing of ballads in praise of Lord Siva. Oggu Katha is derived from the instrument, the Oggu, used at the beginning of each story and also at the marriage festival of Mallanna son of Lord Shiva. The folk name given to Shiva's 'damaruka', it is also known as 'jaggu' and oggu.  

The team consists of four to six members. The main narrator, an assisting narrator, and at least two instrumentalists - one playing on a big drum called 'ranabheri' and the other on brass talas of a big size. Another member plays on a kanjira and the sixth one sings along with the narrator and also plays a napheera, a wind instrument, used at times of martial heroism or courage.

Oggu Katha performance is quite popular in the Telangana region among the Kuruvas or Kurumas / Gollas. In fact, they own it. It is performed for them as a part of ritual observation in connection with rites of passage.  In Karnataka and neighbouring states, the Kurumas are known as 'Birappala Varu ' or 'Goravas'.  The concept behind the performance is to seek the blessings of Mallanna who also has the power to purify pollutants. The Telangana region being situated in the dry agro eco system, patriotism became one of the main modes of production and therefore occupation to a considerably good segment of the population.

All the Oggukathakalakarulu (artists), form circles and present various styles and skills. Even ‘KathiAttam’ is presented by  Oggukathakalakarulu.  

The chief narrator wears a dhoti tied up to the knees, a colored shirt, a colored head cloth, a colored waist cloth, and ankle bells. Usually, the Red color of the waist cloth or dhoti they prefer. The other narrator also will have the same dress. More than the costume, the ornaments they have to wear are traditionally considered more important. The main narrator will have chains made of sea shells called 'gavvaladarshanam'.

In addition, they wear five silver rings and five silver chains, a wristband, thick silver rings called kadiyam,   around the neck, to the right wrist and to the upper arm, a three-layered garland made of pagadam  and round silver tavalam, ande and matte to the fingers of the foot and a garland with Mallana's portrait on it. During the course of action, the folk performers also take a stick, which serves also as a sword.

In December 28-31, 2012 Prapancha Telugu BhashaMahaSabha-World Telugu Language Conference was held in Tirupati. Eminent artists from performing and non-performing genres were invited and honored for the invaluable service they render to the Telugu community. As reported in the media and newspapers the folk performers especially those invited from the Telangana region were not received well. ‘They were not only insulted as folk performers but they were not invited to make oggu performance presentations. 

From all the ten Districts Constituting the Telangana region Oggu Kala artists’ teams flocked to Hyderabad. The programme was organized by the Arunodaya Organisation under the leadership of Mrs. Vimala known as   Vimalakka in the month of February 2013.

All the Oggukalakarulu (artists), marched in rallies with their teams and drum beats around Bagh Ligampalli lane. Then they formed a circle and presented various styles and skills. Even ‘KathiAttam’ was presented by one of the groups. On the whole, there were around 30-40 teams of Oggukatha artists. After breaking for lunch, the artists re-gathered in the hall. Only one team leader was called from each team was called upon dais along with folklorists, scholars, and dignitaries. The pledge was taken as mark of respect to all folk art forms and folk artists. They pledged that if any injustice was done to any folk art form or folk artists, Oggukatha  artists would protest for folk artist's justice. 

Oggu Katha allows tremendous scope for dramatization. In the hands of an able narrator, it becomes a very inspiring one, because of the innumerable improvisations introduced, along with the traditional way of rendering the story.

Folklore played an important role in Telangana Movement.  Oggu Katha presented on ‘Telangna Talli’ and ‘Veera Telangana’ by Oggukathakalakaralu.