Paving the way for cultural renaissance of Telangana

As Telangana gears up to celebrate its third birth anniversary this June 2 in a big way, it is time one takes a look at the progress made in the last three years of 'Self-Rule.' It was a nearly 14-year-long relentless struggle of Telangana people that saw the emergence of Telangana as a separate State and K Chandrashekar Rao was the master craftsman of its success. Predictably, he became the Chief Minister sweeping the Assembly polls in 2014 and took up the challenge of providing the necessary stewardship towards "Bangaru Telangana.”

There were certain sections in the society that were skeptical about the capacity of Telangana to grow and progress on its own and without the strength of the combined State. This obliquely also meant that Telangana could not stand on its own feet without "their" being at the helm. This was the challenge No. 1 for KCR.

Then there was this second challenge of delivering good governance which meant that it had to be an inclusive governance process which benefited every section and segment of the society. It is a tall order really, more so when the goal is 'Bangaru Telangana'. To make his rule a truly 'Golden Age' in the history of Telangana, KCR has to have his priorities right for it does not happen in a day and also does not happen if an atmosphere of peace and prosperity does not prevail in general.

The feel good factor does not stem from good governance alone. It is a matter of well-being and one should take pride in what one does and celebrates. That means a cultural renaissance too. Whether one likes it or not, Telangana culture that was subsumed into a greater Telugu cultural tapestry and having come under the dominance of non-Telangana cultural symbols had to be retrieved and restored to its original glory. That perhaps was and is the greatest challenge staring at KCR.

The plight of Telangana culture was somewhat similar to that of the Telugu culture (of course, the locally dominant one) before the advent of NTR into politics. If NTR restored the Telugus an identity of their own breaking the shackles of 'Madrasi identity,' KCR too had the task of restoring the Telangana identity to its prime glory.

Telangana dialect, its idiom, its syntax vastly differs with the other Telugu - the Telugu of Andhra. But this was only a result of influences on the language by external factors. Yet, it was laughed at, both in films and in real life. (For that matter even Rayalaseema dialect was presented in a derogatory manner in the Telugu films due to the influence of the coastal culture).

KCR's advantage here was his mastery over the native language. He has been speaking to the Telanganites in their own tongue to such an extent that the latter began to take pride in their 'yaasa.' "This is your language and your way of life. Don't feel ashamed" was the message he conveyed to the people during the struggle for Statehood and later in the post-Statehood time too. This has generated a special interest among the locals too in their own dialect, which in essence is their language itself, a rare example.

This naturally means demolition of certain myths and symbols. Universities had to be renamed and memorials had to be built afresh and local heroes had to be accommodated. From P V Narasimha Rao to Dasaradhi Rangacharyulu to Kaloji Narayana Rao to Komaram Bheem to Prof Jayashankar...respecting "our own" has been made a priority in Telangana.

Medaram Jaathara, Bathukamma and Bonalu had been given unprecedented publicity to such an extent that even outsiders began celebrating the same with verve and vigor. People also began understanding the contribution of heroes like Doddi Komaraiah and Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung to the Telangana society.

There was again a subtle move to inspire the confidence of non-Telanganites – those outsiders who have made Hyderabad their home for decades while practicing their own customs and practices without fail – like the Kannadigas and Keralites in their future in the new State. Separate Bhawans had been announced for them alongside the Brahmins and Banjaras in the city and all these sections have been encouraged to celebrate their life in an abundant fashion.

These moves were essential to strengthen the social fabric as the gestures would earn the new State a lot of goodwill and in knitting a grand Telangana cultural canvass. If remodeling Yadadri is undertaken in a big way or Yamulada Rajanna gets his due or officially festivals get celebrated while giving those the status of State Festivals or the government seeks new State symbols...it is all a part of the struggle to reinvent the origins.

Telangana has to have its own symbols, its own entities and its own identities and only then the 'Golden Age' dream would be realised. This does not mean disrespect to the 'others.' It is only to respect the very roots of Telangana. Unlike in the past where respecting Telugu culture meant demeaning Telangana culture, this effort is welcome. There could be a debate on other matters of governance of KCR at this juncture. But, his contribution to Telangana culture would go a long way in redefining Telangana. Here KCR has excelled!

By W Chandrakanth