Art and culture is one of the sectors that Telangana has leapfrogged into a different league four years after the formation of the newest State in the Indian union. Bathukamma, Bonalu, Medaram Jatara, Street Art Festival, Indian Photography Festival, World Sweet Festival and other celebrations have transformed Hyderabad and Telangana into a cultural horsepower.
“I think the Indian Photography Festival has found a permanent home in Hyderabad as support from the government is stupendous, both financially and in terms of logistics and hosting facilities,” said one of the organisers of the event in 2017, summing up the upbeat mood.
The city’s Ravindra Bharathi has been changed into an adda for art, culture and festivals as there is a never-ending line-up of events at the venue. “Earlier, there were one or two events in a week. Now, every time I pass by Ravindra Bharathi, there is some event or the other. There are big signboards and sometimes, I hear songs or dialogues,” says artist Laxman Aelay, who has designed the emblem for Telangana.
The biggest change on the street can be seen in the way Bathukamma has been transformed from a village festival of flowers near small ponds and lakes into a gala spectacle in the district headquarters of Telangana.
“There is an additional ₹30 crore earmarked for Bathukamma and Bonalu beside the regular budgetary support for other art and cultural events. This has led to a big fillip for artists and performers. Folk art, tribal art, Hyderabad Deccani art, fine art and classical art have been given robust support with artists being helped to market their talent. Telangana art forms have been showcased in Surajkund, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and other cultural centres. Art and culture from Telangana region were neglected in Andhra Pradesh. These art forms have now carved a niche for themselves with the support of the government,” said Mamidi Harikrishna of Telangana Culture Department.
Artists like Gadar, Laxma Goud, Thota Vaikuntam, Aekka Yadagiri Rao, Kapu Rajaiah, Goreti Venkanna, Vimalakka and countless others kept alive the identity of Telangana region in the face of odds. It is only fair that they are getting their due in Telangana.
