Prerini Natyam, an ancient dance of
Andhra Pradesh, was presented by devadasis, the temple dancers. It was a temple ritual that was performed during the festival of Vijayadashami in front of the chariot of Parashakti (
Goddess Parvati). The place where it performed was filled with colored powder. The dancer paints the shape of lion by her foot work during the dance.
Goddess Shakti is then worshipped and the devotees move the chariot through the street.
Prerini Natyam has different forms. Some among them are Mayura Kautam (in which the dancer describes the story of Goddess Parvati who presents her son Kumara Swamy, Lord Muruga, with a peacock and the dancer draws the picture of a peacock by her foot work), Simha Nandini (greatness of the mother Goddess is described through music and dance), Mahalakshmi Udbhavam (illustrates the origin and the birth of Goddess Mahalakshmi and paints the picture of a lotus) and Nava Sandhi.
