Unveiling Telangana’s Cultural Soul

India is a land of extraordinary diversity—a vibrant confluence of languages, traditions, geographies, and ethnicities. This multiplicity has given rise to countless cultural expressions. From the snow-clad mountains in the north to sun-scorched plains, from monsoons in June to rainfalls in October, each region breathes a climate and culture of its own. This geographic and cultural breadth is why India is often referred to as a subcontinent.

The architects of the Indian Constitution were acutely aware of this diversity. They designed a federal structure, not merely in administrative terms but also as a philosophical commitment to decentralized identity. Yet, while consolidating 565 princely states and British provinces into a single nation, they opted for a “Union of States”—centralizing authority where needed to ensure national cohesion. However, people continued to live through their local cultures, local governance, and local social norms.

Politics and Culture: Parallel Currents

Political systems, social hierarchies, and cultural narratives evolve at their own pace. Politics may change overnight, but the deeper structures of caste, gender roles, and social inequality often remain untouched. These are not merely issues of governance; they are rooted in centuries of cultural patterns that require profound social reconstruction.

Politics is a constant motion—a marathon without a finish line. It flows like a river, shifting paths, eddying through leadership, party dynamics, and grassroots activism. There are moments of pause, but even stillness in politics is strategic. Only those who understand this perpetual current thrive.

Culture, too, is a flowing river—ever renewing, ever reshaping. Though the water may change, the river retains its name. You cannot step into the same river twice, nor can you define culture as static. “Indian culture,” “Telangana culture,” “Sanatana Dharma”—these are enduring labels for ever-evolving realities. What we often call ancient tradition is, in truth, new life wrapped in familiar names. Old bottles may carry new wine, and at times, new bottles are deceptively labelled with the past.

Cultural Identity and Political Strategy

In recent years, with the formation of Telangana and ten years of TRS/BRS rule under KCR, followed by Congress regaining power, the discourse around Telangana’s cultural identity has returned. However, this is not a repetition of the statehood movement's narrative. Today’s cultural conversations often serve political agendas—especially to reassert the dominance of prior ruling groups under the guise of cultural revival.

We must be cautious. The rhetoric of Telangana identity cannot become a mere electoral slogan. True Telangana identity lies in cultural advancement—deep, inclusive, and participatory.

Telangana’s Forgotten Matriarchal Roots

Telangana’s early culture was matriarchal rooted in traditions where kinship, property, and leadership flowed through the maternal line. Even today, traces of matrilineal customs exist in Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Southeast Asia like Thailand. By contrast, North Indian traditions have been predominantly patriarchal.

The formation of Telangana state saw some changes in curriculum, but linguistic adaptation was partial. The Telugu language in textbooks was often a compromise between Andhra and Telangana dialects. Now, after more than a decade, an entire generation has studied in this new system. It is time to rebuild—from primary education to postgraduate levels—fully integrating Telangana’s linguistic identity, literature, and cultural values.

A Blueprint for Cultural Renaissance

Writers, educators, and social reformers must now spearhead a cultural renaissance. The government must be engaged, challenged, and inspired to act. Cultural reconstruction is not limited to textbooks. It includes:

• Telangana's dialect and idioms
• Folklore, short stories, novels, and plays
• Regional cinema and television serials
• Traditional cuisine, festivals, marriage customs, and rituals
• Kinship structures and local customs
• Rural games, dress, ornaments, and caste-based livelihoods

Reviving these traditions is not regressive—it is a progressive move toward equity. It fosters social justice by addressing inequalities of caste, class, gender, religion, region, and language.

Cultural growth must not be mistaken for cultural nostalgia. It must not serve only TRS, BRS, BJP, TDP, or Congress. No party should hijack Telangana’s identity for votes. Regardless of political power, the responsibility of laying cultural foundations lies with the literary and artistic communities.

Media, Cinema, and Cultural Responsibility

TV producers, filmmakers, serial creators, and media channels have an equal role. Their participation is crucial to preserving and evolving Telangana’s cultural narrative. Without their engagement, mere slogans about Telangana identity ring hollow.

We must assess: What real progress did TRS/BRS make in reviving Telangana’s cultural roots from 2014 to 2024? How much of their governance truly prioritized cultural development?

Congress, though a national party, must seize this opportunity. If it champions cultural equity and federalism—through caste census, inclusive representation, and state-wise autonomy—it could offer a new model for India.

India’s Federal Future

Historically, Congress has favoured centralized power. Today, with BJP and RSS pushing a homogenized Hindu-Indian identity, there's an urgent need to protect India’s pluralism. Regional parties—DMK in Tamil Nadu, TMC in Bengal, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, and others—are examples of strong federal voices.

The “INDIA” coalition must learn from past failures (Janata Party, Janata Dal, UPA, NDA) and become a true federal force. For this, Telangana must emulate Tamil Nadu—asserting cultural confidence while contributing to national unity.

Pluralism Under Threat

In recent years, debates have surfaced around removing terms like “Socialism” and “Secularism” from the Constitution. But these aren’t just words—they represent foundational ideals. Their erasure signals a dangerous move away from federalism and toward uniformity.

The BJP-RSS narrative of “Hindu Indian Culture” masks a drive toward caste and religious supremacy. In contrast, South Indian, Buddhist, feminist, and egalitarian traditions are pushing back reviving their histories, reclaiming their spaces.

Conclusion

Telangana’s cultural development is not a matter of pride alone—it is a necessity for justice, equity, and progress. Let us not reduce Telangana’s identity to a campaign slogan. Let it instead be a living, breathing movement—a renaissance of memory and modernity, of roots and reform.

Only then can Telangana offer India a model of meaningful federalism—where cultural identity fuels not division, but dignity.