Dandari-Gussadi dance troupes in Adilabad await financial aid from government

The Dandari-Gussadi dance troupes in Adilabad are facing financial strain as government aid, promised for the 2024 festival, remains delayed. Members have spent large amounts for the celebrations and are struggling to manage expenses while awaiting the funds

Adilabad: The Dandari-Gussadi dance troupes in Adilabad have been waiting for over two weeks for financial aid from the government, even after the completion of the Diwali festival.

Formed by Adivasi youngsters during the festival, the Dandari-Gussadi troupes perform traditional dances by visiting neighbouring villages over five days. They spend heavily on peacock feather crowns, decorative materials, tents, chairs, food for guests, religious items, and musical instruments.

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The erstwhile Adilabad district has 1,051 such troupes. They first received government aid of Rs 1 crore in total under the BRS regime in 2018. The aid was suspended during the Covid-19 lockdown but resumed in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with each troupe getting Rs 10,000.

The Congress government enhanced the assistance to Rs 15,000 per troupe in 2024. However, though the troupes celebrated Diwali last Monday, the amount has yet to be released, leaving members in financial distress.

Many troupe members said they were under pressure due to the delay. “We spent anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 80,000 for making arrangements. The government has not released the aid so far. We mobilised the expenses by sharing funds and borrowing money from friends and relatives,” said K. Sone Rao from Choupanguda in Kerameri mandal.

Arka Vasanth Rao, erstwhile Adilabad district coordinator of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, said the financial assistance would be released once the government sanctions it. He noted that it would bring much-needed relief to the troupes.