The Gangireddu Bulls

An important part of Pongal festivities in villages and towns, the Gangireddu troupes — beautifully decorated bulls with bells hanging around their necks accompanied by their master playing Nadaswaram are believed to be harbingers of good good luck and prosperity.

“They move from one house to another in villages. It is great to see them here. These traditions must be preserved,” says CSR Kiran , a software engineer, clicking pictures of a Gangireddu’ troupe at Shilparamam in the city.

“You know that saying in Telugu of ‘nodding your head like a Gangireddu'? I have heard that so many times from my grandmother,” laughs Sandeep Rambabu, a student.

The famous ‘gangireddu aata’ involves several fun activities and feats to the delight of the audience. “The bull puts his feet on the thighs and stomach,” says 21-yearold Pedamaina Elappa, from jillelaguda, who owns Ramulu, a bull which entertained several visitors at Shilparamam on Thursday.

The bull that he bought for Rs 45,000 in his village nods its head to an affirmative or denial, prostrates and bows down to its master. “The bull does ‘doctor’s check’ and plays ‘kushti’ as well,” adds Elappa. The bulls look resplendent with colourful paraphernalia such as small beads, ropes and multi-coloured clothes wrapped around them.

“We shell out around Rs 20,000 to decorate the bull,” says Ambiah, owner of the bull, Laxmudu, which he bought for Rs 55,000. “During Sankarathi we tour the city but we do this all the year around in villages,” says 28-year-old Tirumala Venkatesh owner of Bhimudu, which he bought for Rs 60,000. The bulls are trained for a year to perform the various feats in front of an audience.

“We have been doing this for generations. We earn around Rs 500 to Rs 600 during Sanskrathi celebrations,” says Elappa, adding, “We get no help from the government.”