Kolannalu

This article is about the kolattam dance of Andhra Pradesh. For the kolattam dance of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, see Kolattam.

Kolannalu or kolkolannalu (also named kolattam), 'stick dance', is one of the most popular dance narratives in the Southern part of India.

Women dancing at Bhadrachalam

It is a rural art usually performed during village festivals. It is a combination of rhythmic movements, songs and music. The Kolattam group comprises dancers ranging from 8 to 40 who are grouped in pairs.^[1] The sticks provides the main rhythm.

The dancers are led by a leader and move about in two circles. The inner circle receive the strikes on their sticks from the artists in the outer circle that deliver them. Kolattam is also called Kolanna in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.