Koya tribe’s Kommu dance form faces risk of extinction

The tribals, who are set to be rehabilitated from the flood-prone mandals, are in for a culture shock

Deep inside Chintoor Agency, on the banks of the Chandravanka stream near the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border, Kunja Santhi Kumari and Kunja Sailaja were unstoppable for a few hours performing their traditional Kommu Koya dance. However, the usual sparkle that lit up their faces during a dance was missing — the reason being a constant worry over the future of their dance tradition that has been handed down over generations.