Preserving Perini Natyam
Unearthing the lost dance that once thundered before wars in the 12th century Kakatiya era.
Duration: SEP-DEC 2024
Overview
Perini Natyam is an ancient war dance, patronised by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 12th century C.E. The dance form was erased from the collective memory for over five centuries, which was then revived by a dance scholar using fragmented clues from manuscripts and sculptures from the era. In my project, I explored the evolution of this dance form—from its revival to the transformations it underwent due to socio-political shifts in society. The findings were summarised in the documentary film ‘Loud and Unheard’ to make the information more accessible to diverse audiences.
Aim
To address the lack of documentation on the evolution of Perini Natyam- a war dance from the 12th century Kakatiya dynasty, while exploring its identity in relation to the socio-political landscape.
Research Insights
Perini Natyam was first recorded in the Natya Shastra (1st-3rd century CE) and flourished during the Kakatiya reign (12th-14th century CE) as a war dance to inspire soldiers.
Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna, a scholar and a dancer, rediscovered and revived Perini Natyam in the mid-20th century by studying ancient sculptures and texts, developing it into “Perini Shiva Thandavam” as a vigorous male dance form.
After Telangana-Andhra bifurcartion in 2014, as part of Telangana’s cultural identity construction, Perini Shiva Thandavam was renamed Perini Natyam. It was opened to include Lasya (feminine style) and embraced female dancers, increasing its popularity. Perini Natyam has been actively promoted since then as an integral part of Telangana’s cultural identity, supported by government initiatives and performances by both male and female artists.
While inclusivity broadened the dance’s appeal, some traditionalists argue that these changes dilute its original essence as a fierce Tandava form. Advocates like Bandi Perini Kumar call for preserving its traditional style.
The Problem
While we have plenty of historical information about Perini Natyam, there is very little documentation on how its identity is connected to politics. This gap prevents a full understanding of how the dance has evolved.
The Solution:
A Documentary Film
A video documentary is an ideal way to preserve and promote Perini Natyam, an ancient dance that has already been forgotten twice and is at risk of disappearing again. By creating a digital record, we can capture its movements, music, expressions, and emotions- things that written descriptions or photos cannot show. A documentary also allows us to include interviews, historical insights, and stories from practitioners. Sharing it online makes the dance accessible to people worldwide, encouraging interest and helping ensure its survival. The goal is to celebrate Perini Natyam’s cultural significance and keep its legacy alive for future generations.
Filming & Editing
Process
I conducted semi-structured interviews with three Perini Natyam practitioners, all direct disciples of Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna, to gather their first-hand insights. These in-person sessions at their homes or studios explored their motivations, the guru–shishya dynamic, the dance’s cultural relevance, and the challenges to preserving it.
These practitioners were identified through news articles and contacted via social media. Additionally, I filmed a Perini Natyam performance, focusing on makeup and costume, and visited Ramappa Temple in Warangal to study and document its dance sculptures.
Research Notes Overview
The interview videos were later transcribed to analyze the data. Mind mapping technique was
used to organize the data derived from the interviews and the field visits. The insights from
the research was categorized into the following categories: The history of the dance form,
its revival, its distinct features, socio-political Influences, current state, and the future scope
for the dance form.
Building the
Narrative
Trailer
Recognition
The documentary was screened at the Mumbai Waterfront Indie Film Festival, 2025.
