Culture of Telangana
The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent during the rule of Kakatiyas, the Qutb Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties— (also known as the Nizams of Hyderabad).
[2] It is also known for its Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb and the capital Hyderabad is an epicenter of oriental culture making it first Heritage city of India.
[8] Poets of Telangana from the early era include Bammera Pothana, Kancherla Gopanna or Bhakta Ramadasu, Malliya Rechana, Gona Budda Reddy, Kuppambika, Palkurthi Somanatha, Mallinātha Sūri, and Hulukki Bhaskara.
In the modern era poets include such figures as Padma Vibhushan Kaloji Narayana Rao, Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Daasarathi Krishnamacharyulu, and Jnanpith Award recipient C. Narayana Reddy, as well as P. V. Narasimha Rao, ninth Prime Minister of India.
[9] Urdu literature has always enjoyed patronage from successive rulers of the Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi era.
The Vijayanagar rule saw the glorious days of Hinduism when the famed emperors, Krishnadeva Raya in particular, built new temples and beautified the old ones.
Educational institutions and churches grew in number in the Circars in the 18th-19th centuries when the East India Company and later the British government encouraged them.
Bhadrachalam-The name derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra-a boon child of Meru and Menaka).
Sri Raja Rajeshwara temple, Vemulawada is a site of pilgrimage for both Hindu (particularly devotees of Vishnu and Shiva) and Muslim worshippers.
Built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975, the complex is named for its presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Makkah Masjid is a listed heritage building in the old city of Hyderabad, close to the historic landmarks of Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar, and Charminar.
[15] The church was built under the stewardship of the Methodist Christian, the Reverend Charles Walker Posnett, who was driven by the motto My best for my Lord.
Some of the Festivals are Bathukamma, Dasara, Bonalu, Eid ul fitr, Bakrid, Ugadi, Makara Sankranti, Guru Purnima, Sri Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Holi, Peerla Panduga, Rakhi Pournami, Vinayaka Chaviti, Nagula Panchami, Krishnashtami, Deepavali, Mukkoti Ekadasi, Karthika Purnima and Ratha Saptami.
Highly influenced by Mughal painting, this style makes use of bright colours and mostly depicts regional landscape, culture, costumes and jewellery.
[24] An inscription in the temple dates it to the year 1213 and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.
Mallanna Swamy - This medieval temple is a Shivalaya (where Shiva is worshipped) and named after the sculptor Ramappa.
Its presiding deity, Ramalingeswara, is the form of Shiva and a personal god of the Avatar of Vishnu, Rama.
Planned and sculpted by Ramappa, the temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a high star-shaped platform.
Starting at its base to its wall panels, pillars and ceiling are sculpted figures drawn from Hindu mythology.
These temples date back to the 7th century A.D, and were built by the Badami Chalukyas rulers, who were great patrons of art and architecture.
Even after a time span of several hundred years, these grand temples still stand firm reflecting the rich architectural heritage of the country.
[28] It stands out to be a masterpiece and achieved major heights in terms of architectural skills by the ancient Kakathiya Vishwakarma Sthapathis.
In the early 20th century, British Architect Vincent Esch was invited to Hyderabad by Asaf Jah VII.
The Telangana State Archaeology Museum in Hyderabad also houses a collection of rare Indian sculpture, art, artifacts as well as its most prized exhibit, an Egyptian mummy.
The Telangana state lies on the Deccan plateau and its topography dictates more millet and roti (leavened bread) based dishes.
Due to its proximity with Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and northwest Karnataka, it shares some similarities of the Deccan plateau cuisine.
Sakinalu also called as Chakinalu, is one of the most popular savory in Telangana, is often cooked during Makara Sankranti festival season.
It is believed that this dance form invokes 'Prerana' (inspiration) and is dedicated to supreme dancer, Lord Shiva.
He is one among the famous vaggeyakaras (a person who not only composes the lyrics but also sets them to music; vāk = word, speech; geya = singing, singable; geyakāra = singer) in the Telugu language.
A western street replica at Ramoji Film City Oggu Katha or Oggukatha is a traditional folklore singing praising and narrating the stories of Hindu gods Mallana, Beerappa and Yellamma.
