In the heart of Hyderabad, Shilpakalavedika, the usher of Deccani Folk Dance, blooms as an all-women extravaganza from December 25, 2025. These trailblazing troupes retrace forgotten treasures, such as Perini Shiva Thandavam and Lambadi folk swings, channeling the city’s layered heritage into mesmerizing performances that fuse tradition with contemporary flair. Under the stage lights, dancers in vibrant elements of ghagras and bindis that command the spotlight, attracting crowds for a cultural immersion amid the holiday whirl.
Perini, rooted in Telangana soil, War dance of Kakatiya Warriors, thud back to life through footsteps and beats of traditional drums- dhol, the sculpted temple carvings of Ramappa temple elevate the performance, bringing its authenticity. Lambadi performances were completely given to their ankle bells of the nomadic Lambadi tribes, who once navigated the Deccan plateaus, now reimagined with hip-hop beats that celebrate resilience.
Decccani culture, the vibrant soul of Hyderabad, weaves a rich tapestry from centuries of migrations, conquests, and blending Telugu roots with Urdu, Persian, and Marathi influences under the Nizam’s rule of opulence. This hybrid heritage shines brightest in folk dances like Perini Shiva Thandavam- a vigorous Kakatiya era ritual performed by warriors to invoke Lord Shiva before battles, marked by aggressive stomps, chest thumping, and hypnotic eye rolls symbolizing cosmic destruction and renewal. Lambadi tribes’ migratory lore, with hip sways, jingles, and their colorful embroidered ghagras narrating tales of desert treks and monsoon romance across the Deccan plateaus.
This festival isn’t a mere lens; it’s a symbol of empowerment in motion. Over 50 women, from rural to urban, who break stereotypes, blending in with holistic and cognitive discourses that are produced through their art performances. The Shilpakala Vedika became a beacon, proving Deccani culture thrives through female trailblazers.
Audiences rave about interactive workshops where they learn basic steps, unlocking funfacts like Perini’s link to Shiva’s cosmic tandav. In a city of fusion feasts and fashion frenzies, these matriarchs remind us, heritage dances forward, one empowered step at time. Its Hyderabad’s soul, unscripted and untamed.
