Kolatam: A Playful Escape from Screen Time for Kids!

ADILABAD: In a society consumed by digital devices, a collective of kids has reawakened the charm of Jadakoppu Kolatam, a classic village dance. Enchanted by the rhythmic gestures and elaborate designs, these youngsters, who were previously fixated on their gadgets, are now captivating audiences with their vivid displays and revitalizing this diminishing art form as a result.

This exceptional art form necessitates holding a kola (stick) in one hand while grasping a saree’s edge in the other, creating complex designs synchronized with folk melodies. It demands significant commitment, focus, and expertise, as locals mention.

To reinstate Kolatam to its prior splendor, a creatively driven initiative known as ‘Manthanam – Ok Sankalpam’ has been diligently operating in Adilabad. The organization has been arranging events and offering training to youngsters over the past two to three years to rejuvenate this artistic expression.

Specialized training sessions were carried out over a span of two months by the artist Ganesh, who instructed the children in the elaborate techniques of Jadakoppu Kolatam. The training encompassed traditional braiding methods like Onama, Tadaka, Krishna, Lakshmi, and Mangala Aarti, all of which are presented during the dance.

The fruits of their labor were displayed at the Jadakoppu Kolata Utsavam, an event organized by the Manthanam initiative. The children executed the Kolatam with finesse, adorned in coordinated costumes, and danced rhythmically with anklets attached to their legs. Their performances mesmerized the audience, and their determination received widespread acclaim.

Villagers and onlookers expressed their delight and pride in witnessing the children, once absorbed in devices, perform such a culturally significant art form. “It is astounding to observe children dancing in sync, holding kolas, and demonstrating their love for traditional rural art,” they remark.