The 'Lok Manthan - Bhagyanagara 2024' event, a four-day prestigious cultural and intellectual gathering, commences in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) today (November 21) and will run until November 24. The event will showcase the proud and culturally diverse history of the country to the people of Hyderabad-Secunderabad twin cities, the state capital of Telangana through discussions, debates, speeches, and presentations. The fourth edition of the event organized by 'Prajna Pravah' will take place at Shilpakala Vedika, Hitec City in Hyderabad.
Showcasing Pavilions from Ten States
This renowned showcase will feature pavilions from 10 states, including Telangana, showcasing culture and heritage. Former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated an exhibition today highlighting the culture, tradition, and contributions of the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara empires, as well as the Janapada culture. During his speech, Venkaiah Naidu mentioned that the main objective of this event is to free the minds of Indians from colonialism and promote a feeling of pride and dedication to Indian intellectual discussions, culture, heritage, music, and dance. This program is designed for that specific purpose. He commented that the program has a noble concept.
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to be in the city tomorrow (Nov 22) to officially open a significant cultural event in `Lok Manthan'. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Union minister for coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy are set to participate in both the opening ceremony and other activities.
Journey from Bhopal to Bhagyanagar…
In 2016, the inaugural event took place in Bhopal, the main city of Madhya Pradesh. Afterwards, it took place in Ranchi, the main city of Jharkhand, and finally in Guwahati, the main city of Assam. Corona prevented the organization of Lok Manthan in 2020. The aim of the program is to dismantle barriers and create connections among diverse individuals in Indian society, each with their own unique perspectives, customs, and structures.
Promoting Arts and Traditions
The Lok Manthan has been consistently dedicated to endorsing the arts and traditions. The initiative is a collaborative endeavor led by Pragya Pravh, with involvement from multiple cultural organizations like Prajna Bharati, Itihasa Sankalana Samiti, Sanskara Bharati, Vigyana Bharati, Adhivakta Parishad, Sahitya Parishad, and Bharatiya Turaniya mandal.
Theme is- Impact of Divisive Politics
The Lok Manthan, held biennially in various parts of the country, is currently being hosted in Hyderabad. A wide range of individuals, such as artists, scholars, intellectuals, scientists, social workers, and non-profits, play an active role in the project. The current theme explores the divisive politics impacting our country, expressed through art, media, and politics. Likewise, Lok Manthan seeks to explore shared ideas, future prospects, cultural practices, traditional values, policies, and lifestyle.
Lok Manthan-Bhagyanagara 2024 welcomes individuals from all backgrounds with a calendar of more than 100 cultural events. The program encourages art lovers and scholars to engage in exhibitions, shows, and conversations that promote a better knowledge of cultural heritage and global issues.
Members of the Pre-Abrahamic Romanian ethnic community practice rituals for worshiping the Sun, while Yazidis, originating from Kurdistan and historically persecuted, including by the Islamic State in modern times, showcase their traditional performance.