Latha Reddy

Folklore of Urumulavaru: Performers of Akkamma Deity Latha Reddy

Akkammavarlu ritual process has a long history carried from generations to generations by a community known as Urumulavaru. Being a living folk form it expresses the pulse of the Mudigubba region and some areas of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India. They are the performers or narrators of myth of Akkammavarlu with distinct characteristics having different life styles and social structure with mother tongue as Telugu. There are nearly 200 families of Urumulavaru in the district. Urumulavaru plays a vital role in narrating the myth of Akkammavarlu and performing ritual process, so without them there is no ritual process. While the ritual is going on Urumulavaru narrates the myth, beating the ?Urumu? (a percussion instrument), which produces thunder sounds. The study of Urumulavaru- performers of Akkamma Goddess reveals the fact that it is a symbolic expression of their rich culture and tradition. It is a miniature form, which is expressed ritually so that it gives a natural, genuine picture of their life and tradition which is handling from generations to the next generations. The dynamics of Urumulavaru plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the tradition.