Principal Resident Commissioner, Asok Kumar of Telangana Bhavan talks about Telangana culture, artwork and its religious festivals in an exclusive interview to Indusscrolls.com
After the formation of a separate state of Telangana, how do you plan to promote Telangana in Delhi?
First of all, the proximity of the location makes Andhra Bhavan an attractive place for people. As it is located near India Gate. So people who visit India Gate consider this as easier spot to reach to have a happy meal. The Telangana Bhavan is part of the erstwhile Andhra Bhavan and after the formation of a separate state, we have created Telangana Bhavan for Telangana people.
How is the culture of Andhra different from Telangana? How do you plan to promote the rich cultural heritage of Telangana?
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are culturally same. But there are some festivals that are prominent to Telangana. Especially, the the “Batukamma festival” belongs to Telangana. The Bhavan will celebrate the festival and keep the doors open to the public. Bathukamma is a colourful and vibrant festival of Telangana and celebrated by women, with flowers that grow exclusively in each region. This festival is a symbol of Telangana’s cultural identity. We are also showcasing Cheriyal Scroll Painting which is a stylized version of Nakashi art, peculiar to the Telangana. They are at present made only in Hyderabad. The scrolls depict stories from Indian mythology. Pochampally sarees, bangles and Kondapalle toys are unique aspects of Telangana culture and so these will be made accessible for the people of not only Telangana but also for all the people who visit the Bhavan.
The artwork of Telengana is very unique. How are you going to promote this?
We are bringing the artists from Telangana to Delhi. Telangana has explicit art called “Bidri” and “filigree” works. We have made arrangements to bring these artists from Hyderabad and rural areas of Telangana who indulge in filigree and bidri works which are explicit artworks where in filigree, it is artwork which involves twisting of silver wires in an artistic way. And we have plans to showcase lac based bidri works and also famous glass bangles by hosting an exhibition of these works which are unique to Hyderabad and Telangana culture.
How are you promoting the famous Andhra cuisine to Delhiites?
Telangana Bhavan has a famous canteen whose cuisine will consist of the famous Hyderabadi biryani. Its cuisine will also include mutton curry, chicken curry, keema puri and the famous mirchi ka salan. We are organising food festivals as huge crowds visit the canteen. We have earmarked specialised events to attract people who visit us especially localities and tourists who visit India Gate. We have also planned to organise night bazaars which will sell bangles, pottery and paintings of Telangana which will get a lot of income for the artisans and this night bazaars will propagate Telangana culture.
Do you have any plans for the festivals of Telangana?
We are trying to cover an entire gamut of culture, artefacts and religious festivals. There is a famous temple called as Narasimha Swamy temple in Yaadgiri area of Telangana. We will be organising the kalyanam of the Lord Narasimhaswamy here. As Telangana is famous for Pochampally sarees, we are going to display pochampally sarees, bedsheets, textiles from Warangal and also products from local weaving also will go for display and sale and open to public at large. Which will generate income to Telangana weavers.
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