Kolams are one of the Primitive Tribal Groups in A.P and predominantly found in tribal areas of Adilabad district. They live in exclusive settlements in interior forests and mountainous tracts. The Telugu speaking people call them as 'Mannervarlu' meaning people living in the forest areas. Their population according to 1991 census is 41,254. The total literacy rate among Kolam, Mannervarlu is 9.46. They speak their own dialect called Kolami.

Kolams trace their descent to Bhima and Hidimbi, the well-known characters in the epic Mahabharatha. Kolams treat Hidimbi as their patron Goddess and Bhima as supreme deity. The four tribal groups predominantly living in the tribal areas of Adilabad district namely Gonds, Kolams, Pradhans and Thoties are maintaining symbiotic relations and possess identical clan systems and associated practices.

The Gonds and Kolams possess identical social structure. The four-phratry system of Gonds is also found among Kolams but with different nomenclature i.e., Yedu dayalkher (seven spirits group), Aru dayalkher (six spirits group), Idu dayalkher (five spirits group) and Nali dayalkher (four spirits group). Kolams have not adopted or borrowed all the clans of Gonds but only one or two clans under each phratry. Kolams generally acquire their mates by negotiations, by capture, by mutual love and elopement, by service and by intrusion. The levirate marriages are practised among them. Divorce is permitted.

Kolams are cultivators and agricultural labourers. They grow Jowar, black gram, cotton, red gram etc., Their staple food is Jowar.

In addition to Lord Bhima, who is their Chief deity, the village deity called Nandiyamma is worshipped by them and it is found in the centre of every Kolam settlement. They also worship Sita Devi, Laxmi Devi, Indumala Devi (Hidimbi), Pothuraju and Jangubai. They celebrate Pokke Kotha Panduga (ceremonial eating of new mohwa flowers), Mondos (new year festival and ceremonial ploughing) Bhimayak lagna (marriage of lord Bhima), Akhadi, deities for protection of cattle and Kothalu (eating of new food grains). They perform Gusadi and Demsa dances.

Each Kolam settlement is controlled by a traditional village council Kula panchayat which consists of Naikon (headman), Delak (priest), Mahajan (messenger), Tarmaka (cook) and Gatiyal (distributor of food) as members. The village headman and priest settle various disputes and other members assist them in discharging their duties. In case of inter village disputes the Naikon and Delak of respective village assemble and settle them.