The Grace of Perini Thandavam in Motion

The Perini Thandavam, also known as Perini Shivatandavam, is an ancient Indian dance form that originated and thrived in the southern state of Telangana during the Kakatiya dynasty (1168-1323 CE).

It is a vibrant dance form traditionally performed by men, and is believed to have been performed by warriors before going to war, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation.

Perini Thandavam is known as the "Dance of Warriors" due to its vigorous and powerful movements, which are said to represent the strength and courage of warriors. The dance is accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the dhol and the vibrant chants of the performers.

As mentioned before, Perini Thandavam is a tribute to Lord Shiva.  He's also considered the cosmic dancer in Hinduism, and Perini Thandavam movements reflect this aspect of the god.  Sadly, the art form declined after the Kakatiya dynasty. Thankfully, in the 1970s, efforts were made to revive Perini Thandavam, with scholars like Nataraja Ramakrishna using sculptures and manuscripts from Ramappa Temple (Telangana) to help bring it back. This revival effort helps preserve this unique dance form and its cultural significance.