Dear Telugu Thalli (and Bharat Mata),

Another year has come and gone. 2015 was one which featured a number of highs and a number of lows.

First, and perhaps foremost, for once we saw the native voice, your voice, breakthrough through all the foreign, and foreign-rooted clutter and unabashedly sing on screen. Baahubali was not only the smash hit of the samvatsara, but marked a sea change in Cinema, not only in Andhra, but India itself. The Telugu Film Industry began to return to its roots and recall the Golden era of Maya Bazaar and other culturally significant celluloid behemoths. It even inspired a lavish wedding.

Even after S.S.Rajamouli’s magnum opus made national and international waves, TFI (Tollywood no more) proved itself to be more than just a mere 1 hit wonder, and followed up with Rudhramadevi and Kanche. Though they obviously played in a different Box Office Collections League, and arguably targeted different audiences, the soul of the culture continued to speak in these two works as well. And for once, rather than crude caste loyalties driving ticket craze for crude movies, all Telugus could watch without needless bitterness and appreciate artistry and vision for its own sake. Also, while there were arguably more significant Telugu political events (like the 1 below), Baahubali was nothing short of a civilizational event due to its pan-India resonance and implications.

Second, (some would argue first), the Glory of the Andhras was once again sounded from myriad sankhas. Amaravati, the city and capital of the Ancient Andhras, was refounded by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. It was even more worthy or remembrance not only for the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but also for the attendance of Telangana Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhara Rao (in a rare–and much needed–show of AP/TS unity). After a period of uncertainty and even downcast wandering, the people of new Andhra Pradesh have a capital again that they can truly call their own. Amaravati really is Andhra’s Tryst with Destiny.

Third, Godavari Puskaraalu also took place amid great fanfare. To a degree in the Telugu states, it was even approaching the storied heights of the simultaneous Kumbha Mela at Nasik. However, both these events, and their pilgrims, must be wary of the clouds over them. The Pushkaram was not without avoidable tragedy, and the Kumbha Mela is being studied by motivated foreigners–for what purpose we shall soon find out. Bharatiyas as usual are blissfully asleep and self-absorbed, disregarding common heritage and culture, until its is too late.

Fourth, after years of planning, and significant outreach, our Flagship site, Indic Civilizational Portal, was finally launched.

For the first time, a well-organised, content-rich, dharma-oriented, user-friendly site was developed to not only map our Ancient Civilizational Heritage, but to advance it to transform a stagnant culture into a dynamic one. Whether other parts of Bharat (and sensible citizens) now put aside their conceits and tamas to answer the clarion call, is now in your most auspicious hands.

And yet, despite all this (or perhaps because of that third prong), we have more reason to be cynical than optimistic. The people-at-large largely remain selfish, and in many cases boorishly so. Casteism continues to rear its ugly head not only in private but openly in public and on public platforms. It is as though they have all forgotten the example of Prolaneedu and Kapaneedu. Whatever their caste, this lot is more interested in petty position or braggadaccio or giving gyaan. Rather than tearing down NTR or PVNR, one would think they would have the sense to praise both…but alas, they do not.

What’s more, the time-tested track record of seeking employment or promoting enemy causes continues. Rachakonda rajyas and Bahmani polities are not only being revived and supported politically (by the traitorous), but also digitally (by the selfish, unable to see beyond their nose, or identify causes by colour). Even those aware of the gravity of our civilizaitonal situation remain supine before The Perils of Ambition.

This year tragically was also underscored by the continued march to the next life by all too many TFI luminaries.

Names like M.S. Narayana, D. Rama Naidu,  Edida Nageswara Rao, Ahuti Prasad, Ranganath, K. Chidambaram, V.B.Rajendra Prasad, and K.Lakshmana Rao dotted the list of talents who left us all too soon. Notable film transplant from the North, Aarthi Agarwal passed away in tragic circumstances, largely unmentioned for her notable career in the Telugu Film Industry.

From Phillim onto that other Telugu obsession, Politics, the public received a reminder of the dangers of the once noble calling. In a gruesome incident, demonstrating the perils of a poisonous politics, Chittoor’s Mayor met a tragic end. It is a drastic reminder to those who tout the vacuous saying “Neetulu koodu gudda pettavu” as reason to reject ethics of the consequences when all of society thinks the same way.

Red sanders and various liquor and related mafias continue to run amok. When money and power become more important than the means used to acquire them, then society stands at a cross roads.

At the national level, the vaunting to power of a highly questionable party and its even more questionable CM, has left the national capital in a mess. This in turn calls into question not only the mindset and cluelessness of the voters who bring such unaccomplished demogogues to office, but also the merits of making the National Capital region a state rather than union territory.

In addition, the tolerance brigade played with national reputation. This episode tore off the mask of some well known hypocrites as well as other nationals stars, who were duly rebuked by the public. It’s hypocrisy in general was also seen during the abominable release (due to antiquated legalities) of the juvenile who played the most horrific role in the horrible crime from 2012. It also reminded our morons again of how foreigners will spin events according to their agenda, rather than their conscience.

If there’s  One Resolution for Andhras and Indians in general, it’s to stop annointing overtly and covertly motivated foreigners as saviours and thought-leaders! If you put foreign commentators above and in closer confidence than your native thinkers, what do you think will be the result? This goes not just for Adarsh Liberals, but their Right Wing reciprocals as well.

Despite justified criticism against our ancestors by a disappointed posterity (and motivated propaganda by neo-colonial historians), they didn’t always disappoint. They once united under your banner and swore allegiance to you and the Dharma. But the Musunuri Nayaks are heroes from 700 years ago. Another era. Where are such heroes today?

Is Andhra (and Bharatavarsha) worth one good man’s life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again.

Signed,

An Anxious Andhra Bidda (and Bharatiya Beta)