Why in News?  

Several traditional folk-art forms such as Tholu Bommalata, Jamukula Pata, and Tappeta Gullu are fading away due to a decline in patronage.  

Important Folk Arts of Andhra Pradesh 

• Tholu Bommalata: This is a shadow puppetry art dating back to the 3rd century. It illustrates Hindu epics through music, storytelling, and acrobatics performed by traveling artists.  

Tholu Bommalata  

• Jamukula Pata: This folk art involves three performers — one patakudu (singer) and two others who provide a chorus. It is traditionally performed in villages and mainly enjoyed by people from downtrodden communities.  

Jamukula Pata  

• Tappeta Gullu: A traditional devotional dance performed by shepherds to invoke rain and worship the deity, Gangamma. The performers wear ankle bells and play a small drum attached to their chest while dancing to devotional songs.  

Tappeta Gullu  

• Puli Veshalu: In this form, artists paint themselves to resemble tigers and move rhythmically. This art is particularly popular in Vizianagaram and is recognized as a famous folk-art form from the region. 

Puli Veshalu