The well-known dance Gussadi of the Adivasis has got recognition in the blockbuster movie Baahubali directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The Gussadi dance has been filmed for the first time. Adivasis perform the Gussadi dance wearing hats made of peacock feathers during Diwali and it is synonymous with the culture of Adivasis.
Adivasis are thrilled at the prominence given to the dance in the film. The Gussadi dance was depicted as one of the few dances being performed in a cultural programme on the sidelines while installing the gigantic statue of Ballala Deva, ruler of the Mahishmati kingdom in the movie.
The Gussadi dance was shown along with another Adivasi popular dance called Bison Dance wearing the headgear of bison horns. However, it is said that the Gussadi dance was irrelevant to the situation and not connected to the story. Adivasis considered the Gussadi dance as sacred as it connected to the Diwali festival.
Adivasis men, especially youth and middle-aged men are called Gussadis and wear typical attire carrying a jhola and rokala, with various bright colours smeared on the body and a hat made of peacock feathers.
A senior Adivasi leader who was also a cinema artist and folk singer of Gondi, observed that it looks unpleasant seeing the Gussadi dance as the situation did not demand it. It would have been appropriate if it was shown as being performed on Diwali day highlighting its sanctity.
