What’ll be the State’s official animal, bird?

Telangana needs to indentify and promote its symbols like tree, sport, bird, animal etc.

Palapitta: It is the official bird of three states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. In Telangana region, it is a popular belief that sighting the 'Palapitta' on Dasara is considered auspicious and a good omen.

Marigold: Keeping in view the importance of Bathukamma festival during the agitation and the use of marigold (banthi) flowers in abundance during the festival, there are chances that marigold may become the state’s flower

Banyan Tree: This might be the state's official tree due to the presence of the famous Pillalamarri tree in Mahboobnagar. The majestic tree stands out like a giant umbrella, which can shelter upto 1,000 persons

Ahead of the birth of Telangana, the state had finalised its official logo and song. The two most iconic monuments in Telangana, the Charminar and the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (built by the rulers of Andhra Pradesh the 12th and 13th centuries in Warangal), along with the Ashok Chakra, were chosen as Telangana’s official logo. Meanwhile ‘Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani’, which was a popular number during the time of agitation, has been decreed as the state’s official song.

Now the challenge for the state is to indentify its official bird, animal, tree, dance etc, to build its own identity.

The residuary state of Andhra Pradesh is expected to retain all the state’s symbols – animal, bird, and tree as the present symbols are widely relevant to the Seemandhra region.

Andhra Pradesh’s official bird is palapitta (Indian Roller), which is widely popular with Telangana people too. It is especially relevant during Dasara celebrations. It needs to be seen whether Telangana would retain this as the State bird. The Indian Roller, (Coracias benghalensis) is commonly seen perched on roadside trees, wires, open grassland and scrub forest habitats. On the day of Dasara, it is considered to be very auspicious and a good omen.

AP state’s animal is blackbuck (Krishna Jinka) and is widely seen near the Godavari River in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts. As per Hindu mythology, the Krishna Jinka is considered as the vahana of the Moon. According to Garuda Purana, the areas where Krishna Jinkas live will become prosperous. Keeping this myth in view, the Seemandhra government wants to retain the blackbuck as its state animal.

Andhra Pradesh’s official tree is neem, but sources say TRS may want Banyan as the state’s tree due to the history of Pillalamarri in Mahboobnagar. Pillalamarri is the famous 500-year-old Banyan tree covering an area of over three acres and can accommodate about 1000 people in its shade. There is a shrine of a Muslim saint under the tree. In all probabilities, the new government may make Banyan tree as the new state emblem.

AP’s official flower is water lily (lotus), but talks are ripe that Seemandhra would be interested in marigold (banthi). Keeping in view the importance of Bathukamma festival during the agitation and the use of marigold (banthi) flowers in abundance during the festival, there are chances that marigold, which is also used during Dasara and Diwali, may become the state’s flower.

AP’s official dance is Kuchipudi. The dance is named after a village in Andhra Pradesh called Kuchipudi. It was here the earliest masters and scholars of the dance practised and perfected the art. The tradition of the dance has been passed down to successive generations in the village. Sources say that a tribal dance may be apt as a state dance. It was these dances that brought an awakening and a message of a separate Telangana was propagated.

AP’s official sport is Kabaddi. The name derives from a Tamil word meaning ‘holding of hand’, which is the crucial aspect of the play. As the game has its popularity in the backward classes and tribals of Telangana, this game may be accepted as the state’s official sport.

Now it’s time to wait and watch as the state carves its new emblems.