Katipapalu is a folk community in Andhra Pradesh. They are believed to be the descendants of Virabahu. The word Katipapalu means ‘babies of the funeral pyre.' These people dance in front of a corpse blowing conch shells and pipes called kommulu and play cymbals.
Katipapalus are a mendicant community. They earn their livelihood by exhibiting tricks and jugglery also. In earlier times, they earned their livelihood by assisting the burial a corpse.
The folk wear long multi-colored shirts and a rudraksha around the neck and big vermilion mark in the forehead. They carry a bag containing articles such as dolls, idols, nails, silver coins, cowries, a big piece of bone (magic wand.)
