Gussadi dance

The Gussadi dance is a traditional folk dance form deeply rooted in the cultural practices of the Raj Gond tribes, particularly in the Adilabad district of Telangana, India,^[1] as well as parts of Maharashtra. It is performed by Dandari groups during the diwali festival, an event celebrated annually by the Gond tribes, typically lasting for nine days around the time of Diwali. The festival is a rich display of tribal customs, symbolizing civil manners and social unity. Kanaka Raju popularised the rhythmic dance of Gussadi In 1982,^[2] who received padma shri in 2021.

The Dandari festival starts with the day of "Bhogi" by worshipping Aethmasur pen and instruments used in Gussadi dance like Parra, Vette, Kodal etc..and ends with the day of "Kolabodi". During this period, dandari troupes consisting of men and women travel from one village to another performing gussadi and other traditional dances. The dancers wear powerful dresses and ornaments, including turbans decorated with peacock feathers, deer horns, artificial moustaches and beards as well as saffron and yellow coloured dresses. They also wear garlands and straps on their legs and waist, carrying the crew as they dance in rhythm to tribal instruments. .^[3]

The Gussadi dance is performed exclusively by men, organized into groups called Dandari, with smaller groups known as Gussadi.^[4]