The Telangana government has decided that an ancient dance form Perini will be declared as the official dance of the state. In this regard, a diploma course in Perini will be introduced at theTelugu University.

Vice-chancellor Prof. S.V. Satyanarayana said "they had done the preparatory work in this regard and the course would commence from the next academic year. It would be taught in all music and dance colleges run by the government. The Perini Thandavam is usually performed by males. It is called 'Dance of Warriors'. Warriors before leaving to the battlefield enact this dance before the idol of Lord Śiva (Shiva). However, Perini has seven other types that are only performed by women, Perini Lasyam being the more popular among them. With the help of  beats of drums, Perini is vigorously performed. In Perini Shivathandavam, the dancers drive themselves to a state of mental abstraction where they feel the power of Lord Shiva in themselves."

He added "the dance form had almost disappeared after the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty. Padmashri Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna was credited with rejuvenating Perini, which was on verge of extinction."

Before the Telangana government announced Changed (Cassia Auriculata) as the official flower, Jammu (Prosopis Cineraria)as the official tree  and Pala Pitta (Indian Roller) as the official bird of the state respectively. A few weeks ago Murrel (Channa Striatus) was declared as the state fish. and now they decided Perini as the state dance.

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BY M. DIVYA SRI