Pittala Dora Explained

Pittala Dora is a storyteller that visits cities during Dasara in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to entertain people through their comedy.

Background

The origin of Pittala Doras is unknown. Pittala Doras come from agricultural backgrounds and visit cities to make money. Pittala Doras dress in khakhi clad with a pith hat similar to the policeman during the British times. They also carry a wooden stick, defunct rifle or a toy, which has earned them the name Thupaki Ramudu.^[1] To entertain the audience, they tell stories, lies, brag and make false promises. The tradition of Pittala Doras is passed on from generation to generation.^[2] They are known to be able to talk for long amounts of time without break.

With the advent of technology, the tradition of Pittala Doras is dying down; however, politicians are interested in reviving the tradition for campaigning.^[3] Pittala Doras have been subject to criticism nowadays, with some people dubbing them as beggars, and they are mainly present during the Dasara festival times.^[4] The term pittala dora can also be used for someone who tells lies.^[5]

In popular culture

Ali acted as a pittala dora in the namesake 1996 film directed by, the editor of the Anveshana newspaper.^[6] He won the Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Folk art form of ‘Pittala Dora’ on the verge of extinct in AP and Telangana. Asianet News. 10 November 2024.
2. Web site: వీడో పిట్టల దొర.. వినేవారుంటే గంటలు తరబడి కథలు చెబుతూనే ఉంటాడు.. te. TV9 Telugu. 19 March 2024. 10 November 2024.
3. Web site: Dressed to brag, tales taller than towers, and a life of lies: Welcome to the world of Pittala Doras. dailyo. Kotti. Rakesh. 8 December 2018. 10 November 2024.
4. Web site: ‘Pittala Doralus’ fading into oblivion. G. V. R. Subba. Rao. Vijayawada. 14 October 2013. 10 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20131017214351/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/pittala-doralus-fading-into-oblivion/article5232831.ece. 17 October 2013. subscription. The Hindu.
5. Web site: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy promises 75 per cent quota to locals in private companies in Andhra Pradesh. The New Indian Express. 7 December 2018. 10 November 2024.
6. Web site: పిట్టల దొర. 9. . te. Pittala Dora. 14 July 1995. 11 November 2024.
7. Web site: నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008) . A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf . 23 February 2015 . 11 November 2024 . . Telugu.