Burrakatha is a folk style of story telling in
Andhra Pradesh. 'Burra' means 'tambura' (a stringed instrument kept across the right shoulder of the performer) and 'katha' means a 'story'.
Burrakatha is performed by a team of two or three people from the same family. The play starts with devotional songs. Next the performer presents the main story by pointing out the place, time and historical context of the action. After the introduction, the main scenario begins wherein all the three individuals take up roles of various characters in the incidents. Normally, a story lasts for two to three hours. Burrakatha stories are categorized as mythological, historical and sociopolitical. Dance, recitation, song and enactment of scenes provide variety to the narration.
