Pradakshina

Author & Columnist

The Bhagyanagar Lokmanthan held from 21^st to 24^th November, 2024 at the convention hall Shilpakala Vedika and the picturesque Shilparamam, which hosted several art exhibitions and Lok Kala performances, was a grand success. The fourth edition of Lokmanthan was monumental in terms of scale and its panoramic range, which speaks of the impressive vision of the host of organisers led by the Lokmanthan Core team, especially Pragna Bharati. 

Lokmanthan countered the distorted British-induced binary narrative, ‘lok versus classical’, which unfortunately remains embedded in our thinking to this day. However, in Indian thought processes, Lok is far beyond folk, as the same intrinsic Bharatiya culture permeates through all layers of society. The same or similar cultural traditions, the same broad outlook of synthesis and assimilation, the same pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, the same outlook in arts and literature defines the Bharatiya society, whether people live in forests and hills—vanvasis/girijans, rural areas—gramavasis or in urban spaces—pura/nagaravasis. Therefore, we see the same Oneness in the cultural traditions prevalent all over the nation with slight regional and linguistic variations. Lokmanthan celebrated the richness of Lok culture for all four days. Bhagyanagar Lokmanthan also effectively broke the false narrative of the north-south divide, providing a platform that infused different geographies with the strength of cultural unity.  

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Art Exhibitions

At Shilparamam, exhibits such as a 16 ft Rani Rudrama Devi statue, the Hampi Cart and the Vanavasi setup were created, featuring Caves (guhas); a pavilion was created to display cow and bull ornaments and musical instruments. Another was the display of two huts with cows. A Music Tree was also set up. All the displays were in traditional huts with proper lighting. 

Moola Dhwani Musical Exhibition

About 350 rare traditional musical instruments collected by Prof. Jayadheer Tirumala Rao were installed and curated brilliantly with great support extended by Prof. Rao. Many instruments in the vast collection are on the verge of extinction due to the lack of performers. Another art exhibition was installed featuring traditional musical instruments from the region of Chhattisgarh and beyond. The art exhibitions were mounted meticulously, creating the right ambience, with black background, and interesting lighting arrangements with spotlights to bring out the unique characteristics of the instruments.

The Bhagyanagar Lokmanthan discussed, played and celebrated the Bharatiya thought processes (vichaar), established systems (vyavasthas) and processes in the practical realm (vyavahar) across sectors including Gyana and vignyana sampada—knowledge systems, arts and culture, agricultural sciences knowledge, education, health and healing sectors, food culture, temple sciences and practices, environment, etc.

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Static Exhibitions: IGNC Photo Exhibition, Vanavasi photo exhibition, Ethnic Music Exhibition, Guinness Record Pen, Musical Instruments from Chhattisgarh, Paintings on Bharatiya concepts and Wall-Photo exhibition at Sampradaya Vedika. 

The Live Exhibitions: 

1. Grameena Vruththulu (village crafts)

Lohakala

Mattikala

Daaru shilpakala

Raathi shilpakala

Battala (cloth) meeda bommala kala

Nakashi chitra kala

Sangeeta Vadya tayaari 

Iththadi (brass) vigraha kala 

Lavanya Arts, crafts & tastes (Amalapuram)

Bamboo 

2. Gudia maker

3.Natural hand-painting and Maheshwari saree expert

4.Textile pavilion (Maggam) (Loom).

Samskara Bharati was instrumental in coordinating and helping establish the stalls to display 160 art forms.  

The ambience at Shilpakala Vedika and Shilparamam was striking with Kakatheeya Kirti Toranam, Dantewada Toranam, Peddamma Thalli Temple and Ramappa Temple miniatures displayed prominently at the venue. The idols of Bhagwan Sri Ganesha, Nandishwara, Devi Bhadrakali, Devi Danteshwari, Maharani Rudrama Devi and Prafulla Kumari Devi were also showcased. Lokmanthan celebrated the rich Dakshina culture of drama, music and dance in its varied splendour. The Telugu fine arts, music and literature were in full display with a variety of Kuchipudi performances, renowned artist Yella Venkateswara Rao’s Jugalbandi based on the centuries-old timeless classic Annamayya Keertanas. The performance of the unique Telugu literary feat called ‘Ashtavadhanam’ was led by Padmasri Madugula Nagaphani Sarma. Plays on Rani Rudrama Devi and Rani Ahalyabai Holkar regaled the audience.   

Shilparamam showcased a variety of pavilions—Sangeet, Nrutya, Kala, Khel, Ahaara, Aarogya, Adhyatma and the mini conclave of debates and books Lok Samvaad.  A gala medley of Talks and Seminars, Art Exhibitions, Cultural Performances and Food festivals presented the audience and viewers with a lively bonanza that catered to everyone’s taste.

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Pavilions of Various States

Pavilions of various states:  Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand too were organised in the gala festival. 

Apart from the States’ pavilions, the following pavilions were established at Shilparamam.  

1. Samarastha Pavilion
2. Nationalist Hub TV channel Stall
3. Indoor games
4. Goseva 
5. Literature Pavilion
6. Healing Pavilion
7. North-East Pavilion
8. Spiritual Pavilion
9. International Pavilion
10. Cow Ornaments and music instruments
11. Music Tree 
12. Medicinal plants
13. Food & Agriculture pavilion
14. Traditional games
15. Storytelling
16. Lok Samvaad

Lok Samvaad was a mini Lokmanthan of sorts; the Brindavan Pavilion in Shilparamam hosted the Books and Debates forum, coordinated by Dakshinapatha Studies, Samvit Prakashan and Samachara Bharati. A total of seven sessions were held with about 15 keynote speakers speaking on diverse subjects. Dakshinapatha Studies prepared a total of 20 posters which were displayed at the pavilion. A few books published by Samvit Prakashan and other publishers were launched during the sessions in Lok Samvaad. The titles include: Missionary Mayajalam, Vinura Bharata Veera Charita, Sathaka Shatkam, Chaduvula Chettu, Swadesi Samajam and Vikasit Bharat.

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Lok Samvaad 

Lok Samvaad—Books and debates forum at Brindavan pavilion in Shilparamam was coordinated by Dakshinapatha Studies (Center for South Indian Studies) and Samachara Bharati. Between 22 and 24 November, 2024, a total of seven sessions were held.  Dakshinapatha Studies prepared a total of 20 posters and displayed at the pavilion. Several books were also on display everyday put up by Hindu Eshop.

In the first session on `Lokmanthan & Lok Suraksha’, Sri K. Kesavanath, Lokahitham, was the main speaker. 

• Author Dr Bhaskar Yogi was the chief speaker on the theme ‘Lok Pandugalu-Utsavalu’. 
• On the theme of ‘Lok Veer’- Dr G. Narayana Rao of Jagruthi weekly delivered the main address.
• Sri Appala Prasad of Samajika Samarasatha Vedika was the main speaker on the theme ‘Lok Parivartan’. In the session titled ‘Rediscovering Bharat’, Sri Pawan Gupta was the keynote speaker.
• On the topic ‘Swadesi Jeevan’, Sri Sunil Ambekar was the keynote speaker.
• In the session on `Temple Economics’, author Sri Sandeep Singh was the main speaker. 
• On the topic of ‘Vikasit Bharat’, Dr Lingamurthy from Karnataka Central University was the keynote speaker. 
• On the theme ‘Hindu Kala Drishti’, author and scholar Prof Kasireddy Venkat Reddy was the main speaker. 
• On the topic `Swadeshi Science Movement’, Dr Abhishek Richchariya, from DRDL Hyderabad illustrated his talk with a power-point presentation too.

In the final session themed ‘Panch Parivartan’, Dr Manmohan Vaidya, Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya, RSS handled an interactive session with the audience.

Lokmanthan reminds us of our responsibility to continuously challenge false narratives being manufactured in the nation, and through debate and discussion set the correct national discourse, which strengthens the social and cultural unity of the nation.• 

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Pre-Lokmanthan Events

In fact, several pre-Lokmanthan events were held in many cities across the country and especially in Bhagyanagar, as a run-up to the actual event. The series of events generated huge enthusiasm and engagement on key themes to bring together thinkers, artists and cultural enthusiasts on a common platform; the events in Bhagyanagar generated excitement among the people in the city, they were looking forward to the actual Lokmanthan.   

• A three-day Manthan workshop was held at Jaipur, Rajasthan, during August 2024
• Samvit Prakashan organised two sessions of English and Telugu Book Launch-‘Gajula Laxminarasu Chetty-First Native Voice of Madras’ at Bhagyanagar, Telangana on 31 Aug & 1 Sep 2024
• Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were conducted at Osmania University in Bhagyanagar on 13^th September 2024 
• A  Talk on `Global Deep State’s Toxic strategies against Bharat and its implications’ was conducted by Pragna Bharati at Karimnagar, Telangana on 16<sup>th</sup> September, 2024
• A meeting with Representatives of Educational Institutions & Activists was held in Bhagyanagar on 21<sup>st</sup> September, 2024
• An International Conference of Non-Codified Herbal Healing Systems was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh during 20-21 September, 2024 
• Students and Youth Competitions were held at Adilabad, Telangana on 1<sup>st</sup> October, 2024
• Saurashtra Lokmanthan was conducted at Bhavnagar, Gujarat on 4<sup>th</sup> October, 2024 
• Chhattisgarh Green Summit was held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 19<sup>th</sup> October, 2024
• Think Bharat held a colourful  and lively Pre-Lokmanthan conclave at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on 19<sup>th</sup> October, 2024
• Karnavathi Lokmanthan was conducted at Gujarat University during 21-22 October, 2024
• AMS College of Teachers and Education held an event at AMS college, Osmania University, Bhagyanagar on 26<sup>th</sup> October, 2024 
• A seminar on `Sacred Geographies’ was conducted at Delhi University, New Delhi on 26^th October, 2024
• Aitihasik Mahila Sanchalan was conducted in Bhagyanagar on 29^th October, 2024 
• A corporate Art Contest was held at Bhagyanagar on 30^th October, 2024

Two Book discussion programmes on the books `Gangalo Vishanagulu’ & `Chaduvula Chettu’ were conducted by Samvit Prakashan in Bhagyanagar on 3^rd November and 10^th November, 2024.

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Lokmanthan curtain-raiser

10^th August, 2024

The grand launch of Lokmanthan was conducted on 10^th August 2024 at Jalvihar Bhagyanagar which saw hundreds of people enthusiastically participating in the event. The event was graced by great seers Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma, Swamini Suvidyamrita Prana, Padmasri Awardee Sri Dasari Kondappa. The event saw the announcement of the grand Reception Committee, and was presided over by Hon’ble Union Minister Sri Bandi Sanjay. National Convenor Prajna Pravah Sri J. Nandakumar and chairperson Pragna Bharati Padmasri Dr. T. Hanuman Chowdary graced the stage. The Lokmanthan program brochure alongside a Telugu booklet titled `Lokmanthan-sankalpana’ was released on the occasion. 

Ancient Practice of Sun Worship 

Lokmanthan exuded some international vibes too in Bhagyanagar. All the historic traditions depicted the common cultural practices that unified the old world, reflecting the timeless Vasudaiva Kutumbakam heritage and legacy of Bharat. In the mornings, the traditional pre-Christian era fire rituals and prayers were showcased by performers from Lithuania. Artists from Armenia presented their unique form of Sun Worship rituals, and the Yezidis presented their ancient Sun worship traditions.