Culture & Heritage

The Department of Archaeology was established in the year 1914 by H.E.H.Nawab Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VIIth Nizam. It is now named as ‘The Department of Heritage Telangana’ The department is renowned and known for its activities related to archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of Telangana state. Maintenance of ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of historical importance is the major activity of the department. On the advice of the Director General of Archaeology of India, Prof. Ghulam Yazdani was appointed as its first Director.

Mr. Yazdani arrived in Hyderabad on April 26, 1914 and at once set himself to organize his office and to specify to Government the nature of his duties. His proposals were fully approved by the Government vide Proceedings No.19/7 MISC.OF 27th June 1914.

The duties of the director were defined as:

To preserve authentic specimens of the monumental antiquities of the Dominions.
To excavate such sites and areas as are likely to throw light on the past history of the state.
To arrange for the systematic collection and location of movable antiquities.With a view to disseminate the knowledge among his beloved subjects, His Exalted Highness had graciously sanctioned the scheme for the establishment of a Museum in Hyderabad which he personally inaugurated on the 13th March 1931, contributing his personal collection of antiquities and Art objects recovered from his Dominions, for display.
After formation of the State of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1956, the former Hyderabad Archaeological Department was redesignated as the Department of Heritage Telangana and subsequently it became known as the Department of Heritage Telangana in the year 1960, till 1st June, 2014. After bifurcation, the State of Telangana was formed with effect from 2nd June, 2014.

Main Activities of the Department

The Department of Heritage Telangana is the premier organization for archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of Telangana state. Maintenance of ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of historical importance is the major activity of the department.

Protection and preservation of historical monuments and sites (under A.P Ancient and Historical Monuments and-Archaeological Sites and Remains Act No. VII of 1960)
Exploration and Excavation
Epigraphical survey and Publications
Establishment and upgradation of Museums
Conservation of protected monuments and acquisition of treasure troves under the Indian Treasure Trove Act 1878 (AP T.T. Rules, 1959)
Registration of antiquities under the Antiquities and Art treasure Act of 1972.

Administrative Setup

For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites, the entire state is divided into 3 Circles. The department consists of Directorate Office located at Gun foundry in Abids road and Regional Offices at Warangal (Warangal and Khammam), Karimnagar (Karimnagar, Adilabad and Nizamabad) and Mahabubnagar (Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda) and State Museum at Public Gardens Hyderabad.

‘South of North and North of South,’ Telangana State has long been a meeting place for diverse languages and cultures. It is easily the best example for India’s composite culture, pluralism and inclusiveness. Located on the uplands of Deccan plateau, Telangana is the link between the North and South of India. It is thus no surprise that the region on the whole came to be known for its Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb and the capital Hyderabad as a ‘miniature India!’.

Geography, Polity and Economy of the region determined the culture of Telangana. Satavahanas, the earliest known rulers of the region sowed the seeds of independent and self-sufficient village economy, the relics of which can be felt even today. In the medieval times, the Kakatiya dynasty’s rule, between the 11th and 14th centuries with Warangal as their capital, and subsequently the Qutub Shahis and Asafjahis, who ruled the Hyderabad state defined the culture of the region.

Art forms

Some classical art forms received the royal patronage and attained finesse. However, the art forms of the innumerable communities spread across the length and breadth of the State give Telangana its distinct identity.

While the Kakatiya rule led to evolution of dance forms such as Perini Sivatandavam, also known as ‘dance of warriors’, the commoners, faced with the challenges of daily life developed traditions of story-telling coupled with solutions to tide over them through Golla Suddulu, Oggu Kathalu and Gotralu etc.

Several art forms like above mingled and new forms emerged. The ubiquitous ‘Dhoom Dham’ is one such evolved and composite art form. They generally were about the struggle and exploitation. People adopted the old sensibilities of theatre and art changing the content as per the case and place.

A variant of Yakshagana, Chindu Bhagavatham is performed widely across Telangana. It is a theater art form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. The word ‘Chindu’ in Telugu means ‘jump’. As their presentation is interspersed with leaps and jumps, it gained the name of Chindu Bhagavatam. Most of the stories narrated are from ‘Bhagavatam’. Qawali, Ghazals and Mushairas evolved under the patronage of Qutub Shahi and the Asafjahi rulers in and around the capital city of Hyderabad.

Festivals

The Hindu festivals like Ugadi, Srirama Navami, Bonalu, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Dasara, Deepavali, Sankranti, Holi, Mahashivaratri are celebrated with pomp, gaiety and devotion. Dasara is the main festival with the epithet ‘pedda panduga.’

Bathukamma, a part of Dasara festivities, is unique to Telangana. This colourful festival has historic, ecological, societal and religious significance. Women clad in glittering costumes and jewellery carry beautifully stacked Bathukammas with flowers like Tangedu, Gunugu, Chamanti and others to the village or street’s meeting point.

Making circles around the assembled Bathukammas, womenfolk recite songs in a group. The songs have their roots in Puranas, History and even in the recent political and social developments of the particular region. The fete culminates in Saddula Bathukamma where the villagers immerse the flower stacks in the nearby tanks and lakes.

Bonalu is a Hindu Festival, celebrated during the Telugu month of Ashadam (translates to June/ July of Gregorian calendar) wherein Goddess Mahakali is worshiped. The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfilling the desires of devotees.

As part of the festival, Bojanam or Meal is offered to the presiding Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice cooked with Milk, Jaggery in a Brass or Earthen Pot adorned with Neem Leaves, Turmeric, Vermilion putting a Lighted Diya on top of the Ghatam.

While Ramzan is the main festival of Muslims, Moharram too is celebrated on a large scale in Telangana. It is known famously as ‘peerla panduga.’ Pir means Master. Many Hindus take part in the festival.

Chirstians, mainly in and around Hyderabad celebrate Christmas and Good Friday with great fervor and religiosity.

Arts and Crafts

Telangana is a great place for arts and crafts with many astounding handicrafts.

Bidri Craft

The unique art of silver engraved on metal. Black, gold and silver coatings are applied on this. It involves various several stages like casting, engraving, inlaying and oxidizing. The name of this art form is derived from a town called Bidar (currently part of Karnataka) of the erstwhile Hyderabad state.

Banjara Needle Crafts

Banjara Needle Crafts are the traditional handmade fabrics made by Banjaras (the tribal Gypsies) in Telangana. It is a form of embroidery and mirror work on fabrics employing the needlecraft.

Dokra Metal Crafts

Dhokra or Dokra is also known as bell metal craft and is widely seen in Jainoor Mandal, Ushegaon and Chittalbori in Adilabad district. The tribal craft produces objects like figurines, tribal gods, etc. The work consists of folk motifs, peacocks, elephants, horses, measuring bowl, lamp caskets and other simple art forms and traditional designs.

Nirmal Arts

The renowned Nirmal oil paintings use natural dyes for depicting themes from the epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. Also, the wood paintings and other wooden articles, has great aesthetic expression. The origin of the Nirmal craft is traced back to the Kakatiya era. The motifs used for Nirmal craft are floral designs and frescoes from the regions of Ajanta and Ellora and Mughal miniatures.

Bronze Castings

Telangana is famous world-wide for its amazing Bronze castings. While using solid casting of icons, the mould is created using several coatings of different clays on a finished wax model. This process then imparts fine curves to the cast image.