Pradakshina

Writer and Columnist

Lokmanthan- The amazing largest cultural festival of Bharat. Lokmanthan was held at Bhagyanagar, Shilpakala Vedika and Shilparamam during 21-24 November 2024. Bhagyanagar presented the fourth edition of Lokmanthan literary and cultural bonanza, first time in Dakshin Bharat; earlier fests were held at Bhopal (2016), Ranchi (2018) and Guwahati (2022). Several intellectual, social and cultural organisations came together to organise the cultural fest; Prajna Pravah and Pragna Bharati coordinated the efforts with many organisations including Samskara Bharati, Bharatiya Sikshan Manda, Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Vijnana Bharati, Samachara Bharati and Itihas Sankalan Samiti; a host of other organisations too came together to organise the cultural fest and intellectual conclave.
The sub-themes of Lokmanthan are Lok Vicahar, Lok Vyavahaar & Lok Vyavastha. The focus areas are centred around Parivaar Prabodhan (Family Values), Samajik Samarastha (Social Harmony), Paryavaran Samrakshan (Environmental Protection), Swadeshi Acharan (Bharatiya Lifestyle), Nagarik Kartavya (Civic Discipline).

Cultural Ambience and Aesthetics

The splendid Shilpakala Vedika and Shilparamam complexes were colourfully done up with beautiful rangolis and ethnic designs befitting the occasion. The premises was decorated with rural and vanvasi mud houses and walls. The magnificent Kakatiya Kirti Thoranam, Dantewada Thoranam, Peddamma Thalli temple and Ramappa temple miniatures were put up prominently at the venue. The idols of Bhagwan Shri Ganesha, the majestic Nandishwara, Devi Bhadrakali, Devi Danteshwari, Maharani Rudramadevi and Prafulla Kumari Devi adorned the pavilion at the main entrance, attracting large numbers of people clicking photographs with the historic icons.

Inaugural at Sampradaya Vedika, Shilparamam

Honourable Former Vice-President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Lokamanthan Exhibition at Sampradaya Vedika, Shilparamam on 21st November 2024. Honourable Minister for Tourism & Culture, Telangana Govt, Shri Jupally Krishna Rao was the honoured guest. The evening curtain raiser event was launched by the Honourable Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy at Sampradaya Vedika, Shilparamam.

Launch of Lokamanthan Conclave, Shilpakala Vedika

Honourable President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu formally launched the Lokmanthan Conclave at Shilpakala Vedika on 22nd November, 2024 at the grand gala event. With her graceful presence, the President gave a powerful call reflecting the spirit of the Festival and Conclave ‘Whether we are Vanvasi, Gramvasi or Nagarvasi, we are all Bharat-vasi. It’s time to shed the colonial baggage’. In the inaugural session along with the Honourable President, the Honourable Governor of Telangana Shri Jishnudev Varma, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Telangana Government minister Smt. Sitakka, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji, National Convenor Prajna Pravah Shri J. Nandakumar & chairperson Pragna Bharati PadmaShri Dr. T. Hanuman Chowdary ji graced the stage.

Ancient Practice of Sun-worship

Lokmanthan went international 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 presented by performers from Lithuania, artists from Armenia presented their unique form of Sun Worship rituals, Yezidis too presented their ancient Sun Worship traditions.

Drama’s and Cultural Performances Galore

A very colourful cultural bonanza reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Bharat, Lokmanthan saw many great cultural performances; with the art connoisseurs enjoying the performances thoroughly. Kalasankarshini Pravesh, a grand Kuchipudi dance performance depicting Devi Kali was presented by Smt. Rachana Narayanan Kutty on the evening of 21st November enthralling the audience. The artists group from Lithuania presented a musical performance. Shreya Manasa group presented the wonderful medley ‘Bharat ki Beti’ with many young artists. A grand gala Kuchipudi dance ballet `Mahan Bharatoham’ was presented by Abhinaya Kuchipudi NrityaKala Academy before the valedictory session on the final day of the festival. Presenting the unique flavour of Telugu arts and culture, world renowned Mrudangam player Shri Yella Venkateswara Rao and his team presented an extraordinary Jugalbandi based on the centuries-old timeless classic Annamayya Keertanas. The unique Telugu literary feat ‘Ashtavadhanam’ led by PadmaShri Madugula Nagaphani Sarma and a host of scholars enthralled the audience with their unique poetry, style and wit. Smt. Begum Batool and team presented a bhajan musical performance.
A wonderful play was presented on Punyashloka Lokmata Rani Ahilyabai Holkar by Samskara Bharati. A rhythmic colourful Bhortal Nritya was presented by artists from Assam. Classical Manipuri dance ballet was presented by artists from Manipur titled Krishna Vandana. Chakma Bizu Nritya from Mizoram and Kaa Shad Kew Ling Lok Nritya from Meghalaya too were presented. A historical play in Telugu, ‘Raya Gajakesari Maharani Rudrama Devi’ was presented by Pragna Bharati which brought alive the glory of the Kakatiyas and the illustrious queen Rani Rudrama Devi.
All the cultural performances regaled the audience every evening, bringing together the Lok performances from all over the country.

Lokamanthan Conclave

On 22nd November, 2024, post the inaugural session, the Lokmanthan conclave kicked up with a thoughtful Keynote address delivered by Shri Pawan Gupta. In the first session themed `Lok Jeevan Drishti’, Dr. Nirupama Deshpande and Dr. Satyanarayana Dayavanapalli presented the papers, the session was presided over by Shri Ashish Gupta. In the next session themed `Lok Jeevan mein Vigyan’ presided over by the Honourable Governor of Gujarat Shri Acharya Deavrat, Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay and Prof. Neerja Gupta, VC Gujarat University presented their papers.

On the second day of the Conclave 23rd November, 2024, the session on `Lok Sahitya’ presided over by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Prof. Kasireddy Venkat Reddy and Dr. Vidya Vindu Singh presented their papers. The next session titled `Bharatiya Cheana mein Paryavaran’ presided over by Shri Gopal Arya, Dr. Prasad Waman Deodhar and Sushri Shipra Pathak shared their knowledge and experiences. In the following session titled ‘Lok Arthashastra’, chaired by Prof. Kanagasabhapathy, Dr. M.D. Srinivasan and Shri Sandeep Singh presented their papers. In the subsequent session themed `Lok ki Sarvasamaveshi Vyavastha’ chaired by Prof. Vishnukant Chatpalli, Dr. Harsh Chouhan presented his paper. On the third and final day 24th November, 2024, in the session `Lok Suraksha aur Nyay’ presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, JNU, Prof. Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Dr. Shrikrishna Jugnu and Prof. Nagaraj Paturi presented their papers. In the following session `Vikas ki Lok Awadharana aur Prakriya’ chaired by Prof. J.K. Bajaj, Prof. Ganesh Bagaria and Shri Mahesh Sharma presented their papers.

The grand Lokmanthan festival and conclave started to move to its conclusion. In the valedictory session on 24th November, 2024 which rang the curtains down on the gala Lokmanthan festival,Honourable Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman, Honourable Union Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, National Convenor of Prajna Pravah Shri J. Nandakumar were present. The Honourable Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman delivered the valedictory address, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat gave his valuable message on the spirit of Lokmanthan and the way forward for Bharat. Acharya Shri Mithilesh Nandini Sharan ji’s address in the valedictory session reflected the ancient wisdom and philosophy of Bharat. Shri V. Srinivas from Pragna Bharati proposed the vote of thanks.

Shilparamam Pavilions

A variety of pavilions were organised at Shilparamam – Sangeet, Nrutya, Kala, Khel, Ahara, Aarogya, Adhyatma and the mini conclave of debates and books Lok Samvad. A gala medley of Talks and Seminars, Art Exhibitions, Cultural Performances and Food Festivals presented the audience and viewers with a lively bonanza to suit everyone’s taste.

Art Exhibitions

At Shilparamam, a 16ft Rani Rudrama Devi statue, the Hampi Cart and the Vanavasi setup were created with Caves (guha); 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 erected. All the displays were in traditional huts with proper lighting.

Moola Dhwani Musical Exhibition

About 350 rare traditional musical instruments collected by Prof. Jayadheer Tirumal Rao were installed and curated brilliantly, with the 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 highlighted by spotlights to bring out the unique characteristics of the instruments.
The art exhibitions included both Static and Live exhibitions; Samskara Bharati was instrumental in coordinating and helping in establishing the stalls to display 160 art forms.
Static Photo 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 included
1. Grameena Vruththulu (village crafts)

i.Lohakala
ii.Mattikala
iii.Daaru Shilpakala
iv.Raathi Shilpakala
v.Battala (cloth) Meeda Bommala Kala
vi.Nakashi Chitra Kala
vii.Sangeeta Vadya Tayari
viii.Iththadi (brass) Vigraha Kala
ix.Lavanya Arts, crafts & tastes
x.Bamboo

2. Gudia Maker
3. Natural hand-painting and Maheshwari Saree
4. Textile Pavilion (Maggam) (Loom)

Pavilion of various States

Pavilions of various states–Delhi, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, 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 & Musical Instruments
11. Music Tree
12. Medicinal Plants
13. Food & Agriculture Pavilion
14. Traditional Games
15. Story Telling
16. Lok Samvaad

Lok Samvaad

Lok Samvad – Books and debates forum at Brindavan pavilion in Shilparamam was coordinated by Dakshinapatha Studies ( Center for South Indian Studies) and Samachara Bharati. Between 22-24 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 aur Lok Suraksha’, Shri 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 Jagriti weekly delivered the main address.
• Shri Appala Prasad of Samajika Samarasatha Vedika was the main speaker on the theme ‘Lok Parivartan’. In the session titled ‘Rediscovering Bharat’, Shri Pawan Gupta was the keynote speaker.
• On the topic ‘Swadesi Jeevan’, Shri Sunil Ambekar was the keynote speaker. · In the session on ‘Temple Economics’, author Shri 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.

A few books published by Samvit Prakashan and other publishers were launched during the sessions in Lok Samvad. The titles include – Missionary Mayajalam, Vinura Bharata Veera Charita Shatkam, Chaduvula Chettu, Swadesi Samajam and Vikasit Bharat. It is estimated that nearly 3 lakh people attended the Lokmanthan festival in the four days 21-24 November, 2024 and basked in the rich colours, arts and performances of the grand kaleidoscope of Bharat.

Lokamanthan curtain-raiser

10th August, 2024: The grand launch of Lokmanthan was conducted on 10th August, 2024 at Jalvihar, Bhagyanagar, which saw hundreds of people enthusiastically participating in the event. The event was graced by great seers BrahmaShri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma, Swamini Suvidyamrita Prana, Padma Shri Awardee Shri Dasari Kondappa. The event saw the announcement of the grand Reception Committee and was presided over by Honourable Union Minister Shri Bandi Sanjay. National Convenor Prajna Pravah Shri J. Nandakumar and Chairperson Pragna Bharati Padma Shri Dr. T. Hanuman Chowdary graced the stage. The Lokmanthan programme brochure and a Telugu booklet titled ‘Lokmanthan-Sankalpana’ were released on the occasion.

Pre-Lokamanthan 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 onto a common platform; the events in Bhagyanagar generated so much excitement among the people in the city that 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 September, 2024
• Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were conducted at Osmania University in Bhagyanagar on 13th 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 16th September, 2024
• A meeting with Representatives of Educational Institutions & Activists was held in Bhagyanagar on 21st September, 2024
• An International Conference of Non-Codified Herbal Healing Systems was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh during 20-21 Septembe,r 2024
• Students and Youth Competitions were held at Adilabad, Telangana on 1st Octobe,r 2024
• Saurashtra Lokmanthan was conducted at Bhavnagar, Gujarat on 4th October, 2024
• Chattisgarh Green Sumit was held at Raipur, Chattisgarh on 19th October, 2024
• Think Bharat held a colourful and lively Pre Lokmanthan conclave at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on 19th Octobe,r 2024
• Karnavathi Lokmanthan was conducted at Gujarat University during 21-22 Octobe,r 2024
• AMS College of Teachers and Education held an event at AMS college, Osmania University, Bhagyanagar on 26th Octobe,r 2024
• A seminar on `Sacred Geographies’ was conducted at Delhi University, New Delhi on 26th October, 2024
• Aitihasik Mahila Sanchalan was conducted in Bhagyanagar on 29th October, 2024
• A corporate Art Contest was held at Bhagyanagar on 30th October, 2024
• Two Book discussion programmes on the books ‘Gangalo Vishanagulu’ & `Chaduvula Chettu’ were conducted by Samvit Prakashan in Bhagyanagar on 3rd November and 10th November, 2024