6 lakh Koya community in joy after Padma Shri award
Deccan ChronicleKhammam: The six-lakh-strong Koya community in Telangana is enthused over a recognition that came their way as the top civilian honour Padma Shri was awarded to Sakinala Ramachandraiah, a Kanchumelam and Kanchuthalam player and musician. The names like Garikamaraju, Padigiddaraju, Eramaraju, Gadiraju, Bapanamma, Musalamma, Nagulamma and Sadanamma, revered warriors of Koya community in the battle between Kakatiya rulers and Sammakka and Saralakka, used to come in by way of references in Ramachandraiah’s songs. The Nine Adivasi Sects convener Chunchu Ramakrishna said the central government started identifying the age-old arts in the remote areas. Meanwhile, Padma Shri honour was given to 80-year-old Kanakaraju from Gondu community for his famous Gussadi dance.
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