During the 1980s, the dominant culture in Telangana was a blend of its rich regional traditions, influenced by the broader socio-political and economic changes happening in Andhra Pradesh. The cultural landscape in Telangana was shaped by its unique linguistic, historical, and social identity, which was distinct from the more dominant coastal Andhra region. The political movements, particularly the Telangana agitation for statehood in the late 1960s and early 1970s, had a lingering impact on the culture, as people sought to assert their regional identity within a unified Andhra Pradesh. Let’s examine the dominant culture in Telangana during the 1980s and its broader implications:

1. Linguistic Identity and Regionalism

  • Telangana Telugu Dialect vs. Coastal Andhra Telugu: Language was a major cultural marker in Telangana during the 1980s. The Telugu spoken in Telangana, characterized by a distinctive dialect and pronunciation, differed from the more dominant coastal Andhra dialect. While the official Telugu language in media and education largely reflected the coastal Andhra dialect, the Telangana people continued to speak and cherish their regional variant, which was often marginalized or seen as less refined.
    • Cultural Implication: This created a sense of linguistic pride but also frustration, as many felt that the Telangana dialect was being suppressed. The perceived cultural hegemony of coastal Andhra extended beyond language and influenced aspects like cinema, literature, and politics, leading to the feeling of Telangana being culturally subjugated.
  • Urdu Influence: Telangana, especially Hyderabad, had a significant Urdu-speaking population due to the Nizam’s rule. Urdu remained a cultural and linguistic marker among the Muslim community, especially in urban areas. The hybrid Deccani language, a mix of Telugu and Urdu, was commonly spoken in Hyderabad, creating a unique linguistic atmosphere in the region.
    • Cultural Implication: This linguistic diversity contributed to a multicultural identity for Telangana, distinguishing it from other regions of Andhra Pradesh. Urdu culture influenced the region’s architecture, festivals, cuisine, and social customs, making it an integral part of the regional ethos.

2. Hyderabad’s Cultural Cosmopolitanism

  • Old City of Hyderabad: The Old City of Hyderabad retained much of its historic charm and cultural identity during the 1980s. The region was famous for its blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, traditional markets, and cultural festivals. Iconic landmarks such as the Charminar and Golconda Fort were symbols of Hyderabad’s rich past.
    • Nawabi Culture: The Nawabi culture of grace, etiquette, and hospitality, a legacy of the Nizam’s rule, persisted in certain circles. The cuisine of the region, particularly dishes like Hyderabadi biryani, haleem, and kebabs, became cultural markers that transcended class and religion, making Hyderabad a gastronomic capital.
    • Cultural Implication: This cultural cosmopolitanism gave Hyderabad a unique identity as a city where traditional and modern, Hindu and Muslim, Telugu and Urdu cultures coexisted. However, this also meant that the cultural elite of Hyderabad were seen as somewhat disconnected from rural Telangana, where a more agrarian, caste-based society prevailed.

3. Folk and Rural Traditions

  • Folk Art and Traditions: Telangana's rural areas were rich in folk traditions, including dance, music, and storytelling. Bonalu and Bathukamma, the region’s key festivals, were deeply tied to Telangana’s agrarian roots and Goddess worship. Bonalu, a festival dedicated to the Goddess Mahakali, and Bathukamma, a floral festival, were celebrated with much fervor in both rural and urban Telangana.
    • Oggu Katha and Burrakatha: These were traditional forms of storytelling, music, and dance that remained popular in rural Telangana during the 1980s. The Oggu Katha is a narrative form associated with the worship of village deities, and Burrakatha was a folk art form that delivered stories in a blend of drama and music, often with a political or social message.
    • Cultural Implication: Folk arts and rural traditions represented the deep connection of the people with their land, deities, and community. However, these traditions were often seen as backward or underdeveloped in comparison to the more commercial and Westernized culture emerging in urban centers. This dichotomy created a divide between rural and urban cultural perceptions.

4. Telangana Agitation and Cultural Assertion

  • Political Movements: Although the Telangana agitation for a separate state gained significant momentum in the 1960s and early 1970s, the cultural aftermath was felt throughout the 1980s. The demand for a separate state was not just political but also cultural, as Telangana people felt their identity was being overshadowed by the more prosperous and politically dominant coastal Andhra region.
    • Cultural Assertion: This period saw a reassertion of Telangana’s cultural identity through literature, poetry, and folk arts. Writers and intellectuals from the region began to express their discontent with the domination of coastal Andhra culture, and many used their work to celebrate Telangana’s unique heritage. The Telangana language, customs, and folk traditions became symbols of pride and resistance.
    • Cultural Implication: The political and cultural consciousness that emerged from this period sowed the seeds of a distinct Telangana identity that would later culminate in the successful demand for statehood in 2014. The movement influenced generations to take pride in their regional customs, language, and history.

5. Cinema and Media

  • Telugu Cinema and Telangana Representation: The Telugu film industry (Tollywood), based in Hyderabad, was a major cultural force in the 1980s. However, much of the cinema of the time was dominated by coastal Andhra actors, directors, and themes. The representation of Telangana dialect and culture in mainstream cinema was limited, and when portrayed, it was often caricatured or shown in a negative light.
    • Chiranjeevi’s Rise: One of the most notable cultural shifts in the Telugu film industry during the 1980s was the rise of Chiranjeevi as a mass hero. While Chiranjeevi hailed from a coastal Andhra background, his movies resonated with audiences across Telangana due to their emphasis on the common man’s struggles, action, and mass appeal.
    • Cultural Implication: The limited representation of Telangana culture in popular media during this period contributed to the sense of alienation felt by many in the region. It further fueled demands for a separate state, where Telangana’s unique identity could be given its due space.

6. Caste and Social Structure

  • Caste Dynamics: Telangana’s social structure during the 1980s was deeply influenced by caste hierarchies, particularly in rural areas. The dominant land-owning castes, like the Reddys and Velamas, held significant power over land and politics, while the Dalits, backward castes, and tribal communities often faced social and economic marginalization.
    • Feudal Culture: The remnants of a feudal culture persisted in Telangana during the 1980s, with landowners wielding considerable control over rural economies and political structures. While agrarian reforms were introduced by the government, their impact was limited, and rural Telangana remained largely under the influence of traditional power structures.
    • Cultural Implication: The dominance of certain castes and the ongoing feudalism in rural Telangana limited social mobility and reinforced cultural practices that marginalized lower castes. However, there were also early signs of resistance and social movements aimed at challenging caste hierarchies, which would become more pronounced in the following decades.

7. Impact of Urbanization and Western Influence

  • Urbanization: Hyderabad, as the capital city, was undergoing significant urbanization during the 1980s. The influx of people from rural areas into cities for better employment opportunities brought about cultural changes. The growing middle class began to adopt more modern, Westernized lifestyles, including changes in fashion, music, and education.
  • Western Influence: With the increasing influence of Western media, fashion, and consumer goods, urban centers like Hyderabad experienced a cultural shift. English-medium education became more popular, and there was an increasing demand for Western clothing, cinema, and music. The rising consumerism also led to the growth of new forms of entertainment, such as cinema halls, restaurants, and shopping centers.
    • Cultural Implication: This shift led to a cultural divide between the urban, Westernized elite and the rural, tradition-bound populations of Telangana. While urban youth embraced global trends, rural Telangana continued to hold on to its traditional practices and values.

Conclusion

The dominant culture in Telangana during the 1980s was a complex tapestry of linguistic pride, rural traditions, urban cosmopolitanism, and the ongoing struggle for regional identity. The cultural differences between Telangana and coastal Andhra were palpable, with language, folklore, and social customs forming the basis of a unique Telangana identity. However, the 1980s also witnessed the rise of Western influence and urbanization, especially in Hyderabad, which introduced new cultural dynamics into the region. The sense of cultural marginalization and the assertion of Telangana’s distinct identity during this decade had long-lasting implications, eventually leading to the successful movement for statehood in 2014.