Burrakatha

Course Aim

Burra Katha Art form: Burra Katha is an artform comprising Narrative singing, enacting and dance elements while a story is narrated.

 

This course aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles and practice of Burrakatha art form to both aspiring artists and music enthusiasts to gain knowledge of music, performance, expressions and techniques. Students get to learn a story and develop a hands-on knowledge of performing a complete presentation of Burrakatha. 

Course Objectives

  1. As this is an art of Virarasa knowledge, the youth who perform or listen to this art become conscious and grow up with knowledge. * 
  2. The specialty of this art is that the same person plays the roles of hero, heroine and villain,  i.e. acting in different roles. * 
  3. A single person singing and playing the instruments by himself i.e. playing the darhus along with the song is the talent of the artists. himself ° 
  4. Demonstrations in temples during festivals show that devotees can attain Kaivalyam by listening to spiritual epic stories with “Shravana” which is the main part of Bhagavad worship through this art. 
  5. By listening to historical stories, people can learn about the religious harmony society and the survival of democracy.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to
  • Learn fundamental aspects of enacting a Burrakatha, including playing of basic instruments, various characters scope and performance.  

  • Learn to recite Burrakatha and perform in temples and cultural organizations. 

  • Perform monologues with confidence

  • Develop body and voice as instruments for expressing emotions.

Duration: 15 Weeks – 90 Mins/Week

Course Fees: $450

Certificate: Students will receive certificate of completion.

Course Outline

Week 1: Intro to Narrative singing , Telugu Language and Literacy Influence and confluence What makes Burrakatha a special art form

Week 2: Art of Burra Katha, Instruments, Performing Artists group intro and requirements; and significance

Week 3: “Palanati Yuddham ” Burrakatha intro and overview; aspects.

Week 4: “Palanati Yuddham : Introductions of “Brahmanaya Ghatam”( TANDHANA Dance walk Traits, DEENUVU GIRI Dance walk)

Week 5: “Nayaki Nagamma” Character traits on the Battle filed -“Neerche ” Episode “Syi ” Dance Walk Traits ; RAGADA Literature detailed study

Week 6: Review of previous 4classes; BurraKatha Characters- group selection from the enrolled batch( Main character; Political Structure; Impromptu Comedy- Dialogue exchange)

Week 7: “Palanati Yuddham Characters study of Bhramanayamaacharla; Naagamagurajaala Episode study; ( study includes detailed-Descriptive analysis Dance Walk;;and song

Week 8: Marriage Episode – Balachandra and Manchala; “DURITHA Tandana” dance walk

Week 9: War Episode- Nagamma and Nrahmanaayaka ( using Birds(hencocks in the Fight) ; UpaTandaana Dance Walk

Week 10: War Episode: Palanaati Bala chandra ( DAMARUKI Gati Dance Walk; HARINI Gati Dance Walk ;

Week 11: Closing Episode- BHALI BHALI dance walk with detailed analysis of Walk; Lyrics; Tempo and Rythms and Beats

Week 12: Review of past lessons; Instruments( Vaadhya) DARUVU used detailed analysis; ( TABURA Beats and steps-Andelu; GUMMITA Dharuvu

Week 13: BURRA KATHA Singing Group – Detailed learning and study on Postures pertaining to Theatrical aspects; Foot work presentation; fast body movements while enacting and singing

Week 14: BURRA KATHA – AHARYAM Face Makeup and Dresses and jewelry detailed study

Week 15: BURRAKATHA- Enacting; Significance; Sustainability of the art form

Faculty

  Kala Ratna Babuji 

Adjunct Professor


Born on July 1st-1962 in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, Bharat (India) to father “Padmashri” “ BurraKatha Pitamaha” Sheikh Nasser and mother Adambi.

Kala Prasthanam : Since Babuji hails from a family of affluent stars , his journey began from learning from the legend Sri Nasser in the early childhood days. Journey began in 1986, as a young graduate in Hindu Kalasala in Andhra Pradesh State, India, where his singing journey was recognized and got him many awards.

The then Natak Akademi president film actress Late Jamuna,and her father conducted a training camp in which Babuji participated and got certificated in the Burrakatha training camp. In1988 “A new Burrakatha work titled NTR Prabhanjanam” Babuji got a chance to perform the main character in the Burrakatha troupe as the main storyteller which made him famous as an artist of caliber and repute.

Titles Awards: 2016: Kalaratna (Swan) Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidugaru 2012 Ugadi Award. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Garu, 2024 Kirti Puraskar, Po. Mr. V. V. Hyderabad. Poornakumbhampuraskaram. Bhimavaram. NATS Folk Literature Award Guntur. 

Books Authored: Burrakatha Kalabodhini, Burrakatha Vani, Ganakalashastra (out of print) Art Training Camps : Year2014. NSD. Bangalore. Year 2018 Telangana State Department of Language and Culture, Year 2000. Mahilasamakhya Mangalagiri Conducted 15 camps through various organizations.