Daroji Eramma Biography 
Daroji Eramma was an Indian folk singer from the state of Karnataka. She was also a performer of the Burrakatha, a folk art form of epic storytelling in southern parts of India. She was a recipient of numerous awards including Rajyotsava Prashasti in 1999, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Award, Sandesha Arts Award in 2003, Nadoja Award in 2003, Janapada Shri 2010 etc. Eramma could perform twelve folk epics from memory, which include Kumararama, Babbuli Nagireddi, Baala Nagamma, Jaisingaraaja Kavya and Bali Chakravarthi Kavya. Though she was illiterate, she learnt by-heart around 200000 sentences and 7000 pages so that she could perform them at any occasion.
Daroji Eramma, popularly known as Burrakatha Eeramma was born in 1930 in Bellary, Karnataka. She belonged to a semi-nomadic Buduga Janagama community. She learnt the folk art form, Burrakatha from her father Lalappa during her early teens. She mastered the folk art form of storytelling based on mythological and social themes and later taught Burrakatha to many others, including people belonging to her family and community, apart from giving countless performances. She trained others so that they can continue the tradition.
While performing she would play a stringed instrument with one hand and bells with the other. She often participates in social campaigns like polio vaccination. She is accompanied by her sister and sister-in-law and her performances last for days. Eeramma was instrumental in popularising ‘Burra Katha’, which is popular in Andhra Pradesh. Kannada University, Hampi, conferred her with the Nadoja title. She was a recipient of many other honours too. The legendary ‘Burra Katha’ exponent Daroji Eeramma died on 12 August 2014 at a private hospital in Bellary. She was 84. She was a popular figure across the state of Karnataka.
Published: February 16, 2019
Updated: February 16, 2019
