Oggu Katha at YK Antiques celebrates folk legacy, champions Telangana’s oral traditions

Hyderabad: In an intimate gathering of just 17 guests, the age-old oral tradition of Oggu Katha came alive at YK Antiques, offering a powerful experience of Telangana’s cultural heritage.

Held in the quiet charm of the antique gallery space, the evening’s performance immersed attendees in mythological storytelling, rhythmic music and traditional dance that celebrated the vibrancy of regional folk art.

The heartbeat of oral tradition

Oggu Katha, a narrative folk art form native to Telangana, combines devotional storytelling with song, percussion and movement.

Typically performed in village settings by itinerant artists, it is a genre deeply rooted in worship and oral transmission of mythology. The stories often centre around deities such as Mallanna, Beerappa and Yellamma—figures whose lives and miracles are evoked through chants and dramatic narration.

The performers were accompanied by an ensemble of traditional instruments, including the jaggu (a small hourglass drum akin to the damarukam), kirtal dolu drums, the kanjira and wind instruments. Together, these formed the sonic backdrop to a series of powerful narratives that stirred the audience’s emotional range, from grief and humility to joy and reverence.

Artists and leadership

The event was led by Singarpu Raj Kumar and his team, under the direction of Dr Kumara Swamy G, a veteran theatre artist with over 120 productions to his name. A recipient of the Government of Telangana’s Best Modern Theatre Practitioner Award in 2018, Dr Swamy is known for fusing folk traditions with contemporary performance.

His performance stood out for its seamless blending of drama and folklore.

He is also actively engaged in the scripting of upcoming Telugu films, bringing theatrical sensibility to broader audiences. The evening opened with remarks from YK Antiques founder Y Krishnamurthy and Dr Swamy, both of whom underlined the importance of preserving folk traditions in evolving cultural spaces.

Experience beyond performance

Throughout the evening, the cast’s spirited storytelling captivated the audience.

Performers dressed in traditional attire delivered each tale with precision, expression and emotive choreography. One audience member reflected, “It wasn’t just something to watch. It was something you could feel—like stepping into a living story.”

An important aspect of the program was the interactive exchange between performers and the audience. Artists openly shared their experiences, offering a rare insight into the lives of travelling folk performers. They addressed the difficulties in sustaining oral traditions in contemporary society, especially amid limited institutional support.

The performers expressed their intention to expand their reach. “We want to take this to more residential areas and larger venues so that people see our work, not just hear about it,” one artist said during the discussion.

Cultural significance and future support

For many in the audience, it was their first encounter with Oggu Katha. The consensus was clear: the performance was ‘impactful,’ ‘soulful,’ and ‘thought-provoking.’ A few attendees noted the absence of a structured framework to support traditional art forms and emphasised the need for more platforms that can connect folk artists with urban audiences.

The evening ended informally, with open conversations between guests and performers. Some spoke about advocating for the inclusion of such programs in local cultural calendars, recognising their potential to bridge generational and urban-rural divides.

YK Antiques: A space for cultural revival

The event aligns with YK Antiques’ ongoing efforts to build intersections between heritage and modernity. Through curated performances and conversations, the space enables traditional artists to be heard in contemporary circles.

By hosting Oggu Katha, YK Antiques not only provided a stage for folk artists but also deepened the audience’s engagement with Telangana’s living traditions. The evening reinforced the enduring value of oral storytelling and the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural legacies for the future.