NEW DELHI: “Lokmanthan is a Biennial National Colloquium of Nationalist Thinkers & Practitioners. It is a platform where artists, intellectuals, and academicians from different parts of the country converge and brainstorm on the questions that permeate society, with an aim to reshape the narratives and prepare the nation to play its civilisational role”, said J Nandakumar, National Convenor of Prajna Pravah and National General Secretary of Lokmanthan 2024, during a press conference held at the Constitution Club of India on November 19, two days before the commencement of Lokmanthan 2024.
“Lokmanthan represents the original churning of this land. It does not denote any particular caste, creed, or locality. However, it is often misconstrued in such a way. There have been continuous attempts to divide our nation along the lines of tribe, caste, or language. Recently, several controversies have erupted on these lines. In this intellectual atmosphere, Lokmanthan holds significant relevance. Here, we are discussing the inherent unity of this great land. The foundation of this unity is none other than the indomitable cultural essence that spans from one end of Bharat to the other. This unique culture has left a profound impact on the entire globe. As a result, there are numerous pre-Abrahamic religions and practices that, upon deep analysis, reveal striking parallels with Bharatiya culture. Participants from Yazidis will share their experiences, culture, and the courageous efforts they have made to preserve their traditions. This highlights the distinctive nature of Lokmanthan 2024, emphasizing cultural resilience”, he said.
“In the European concept, the term folk is often used to categorise certain groups or practices. These ideologies cannot be defined on their own intrinsic basis; they are often understood only in contrast to what they oppose”, he said.
He further explained, “For instance, Marxism cannot be understood through its basic principles alone—it must be understood in opposition to what it rejects, such as capitalism or nationalism. Similarly, the European concept of folk is best understood in relation to its opposite”.
“If there is folk dance, there must also be classical dance, which is its just opposite. This implies that folk is unclassical. If there is folk dance, there will also be shastriya nritya (scientific dance), suggesting that folk dance is unscientific and, by extension, uncivilised. Many argue that folk is a derogatory term and should not be used. In Bharatiya culture, there are countless terms that cannot be translated into other languages, such as Dharma and Rashtra. The term Lok represents the original and uncorrupted culture of the land. This is why we say that Lok goes beyond folk”, he further said.
Union Minister of Coal and Chairman of Lokmanthan G Kishan Reddy, while addressing a press meet informed the media that Lokmanthan 2024 will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on November 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the presence of RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat.
Venkiah Naidu, the Former Vice President of India has consented to open the exhibition and cultural festival on November 21 at 10 Am at Shilpa Kalavedika
“Lokmanthan 2024 will bring together 2,500 delegates from across the world. Over 1,500 artists will perform at the conference, showcasing more than 100 art forms. Additionally, 400+ rare traditional musical instruments will be exhibited. State governments from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Telangana will have their own pavilions,” said G Kishan Reddy.
The pavilions will highlight North-East culture, traditional food, traditional healing systems, literature, discussions and debates (Samvaad), as well as dance, music, drama, crafts, and paintings.
“The event will include 140 cultural performances, 12 sessions of intellectual discussions, and participation from over 1,500 intellectuals, artists, activists, performers, and practitioners. Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the exhibition showcasing various dimensions of Lok on November 21, 2024”, he informed.
It is to be noted that the 4th Edition of this International conclave is being organised by Pragna Pravah, New Delhi and Pragna Bharati, Telangana, along with their associate associations organistions across the country. This include Itihaas Sankalan Samiti, Sanskara Bharati, Vijnana Bharati, Adhivakta Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad and Bharatiya Sikshana Mandal. While the main programme is going to be held at Shilpa Kala Vedika, an exhibition and cultural festival is being organized at the adjacent Shilparamam.
Lokmanthan 2024 will also feature Bharat’s diverse cultural heritage through various exhibitions and performances.
Photo Exhibition on Vanavasi Culture
Renowned photojournalist Andhekar Satish Lal will present a photo exhibition highlighting the culture, lifestyles, and festivals of Vanavasi communities from across Bharat, offering a unique glimpse into their rich traditions.
Authentic Performances by Native Artists
All art forms showcased will be performed by original or native artists, ensuring an authentic and culturally immersive experience for the audience.
Celebration of Telangana’s Art and Craft
A dedicated pavilion will highlight Telangana’s cultural richness with exhibits such as: Handicrafts and Textiles: Dokra metal crafts, Kondapalli toys, Nirmal paintings, Kalamkari handlooms, and pottery.
Traditional Art Forms: Hari Kathas, Perini dances, Burra Veena, Kinnera, Oggu Katha, Veedhi Natakas, Tolu Bommulata, Pittala Dora performances, Jatharas, and more.
Replicas of Telangana’s Iconic Heritage
Replicas of Telangana’s prized historical landmarks, including the Kakatiya Thorana, Ramappa Temple, and Thousand Pillar Temple, will be displayed, showcasing the region’s architectural grandeur.
Spiritual Spaces and Rituals
A pavilion will be dedicated to spiritual spaces and rituals, featuring an exhibit resembling the Ramnami community temple along with live displays of their rituals and practices, enriching the understanding of Bharat’s spiritual diversity.
Lokmanthan 2024, through these diverse exhibits and performances, aims to bring alive the spirit of Bharat’s cultural unity and civilisational depth.
The What and Why of Lokmanthan:
The colonial rulers of Bharat employed a divide and rule policy to subjugate Indians. They called the non-city dwellers, especially the forest dwellers as Adivasis, an Indianised term for aboriginals, thus suggesting that the non-Adivasis are invaders and occupiers. They used these artificial definitions to create divisions among our people, contrary to the truth. Narratives were built saying that the rural populace or the illiterate are not on the same levels of knowledge of the city dwellers And that the people living the villages or forests are not ‘educated’.
On the contrary, Bharat’s civilisation spread across the length and breadth of Akhand Bharat has many commonalities and linkages while having their own local flavours uniquely enriching the nation’s unity in diversity. And Bharatiya culture and tradtions form the common thread that permeates people irrespective of their place of living, region, language or any other such divisions.
Gurukuls which were mostly located in villages or forest areas served as the places for higher education for kings, elites and commoners cutting across varnas or jaatis. The greatest scientific discoveries like the concept of Zero, Infinity, Algebra, Alloys, Alchemy, Economics, Political Science, Diplomacy, Warfare, and many Philosophies were discovered or invented in these gurukuls
After attaining a certain age, most Bharatiyas including mighty kings and emperors would hand over their responsibilities to the next generation and retreat to retirement in a forest called Vanaprastha. Thus, adult life starts in the forest and ends in the forest for all Bharatiyas.
The traditions, practices, wisdom, arts, crafts, and nature-respecting solutions passed down through generations are still alive in large parts of Bharat, especially in the rural and forest areas.
Lokmanthan aims to counter these divisive binary alien concepts of Adivasi, folk, etc., with the correct term Lok and bring out the commonalities and interconnectivity across our great nation.
Significance of the Theme of Lokmanthan 2024
The theme of this edition is Lokavalokan, meaning ‘the observation and examination of the traditions, practices and culture of Lok’
This will have three sub-themes: Lok Vichaar, Lok Vyavhaar, and Lok Vyavastha.
• Lok Vichaar will focus on the thought processes that have shaped the lives and culture of Bharat, in harmony with nature.
• Lok Vyahaar will focus on practices and traditions that evolved through time in sync with prevailing thoughts, circumstances, and regions.
• Lok Vyavastha will focus on the established systems and institutions that catalysed holistic growth, progress, and security of diverse communities.
Every Bharatiya who wants to see the renaissance of Bharat’s traditions, culture, practices, and legacies, especially from the rural and forest areas, should attend this wonderful celebration.
Artists, artisans, musicians, and performers of dance and drama who respect and value Bharat’s culture and traditions should attend this programme to carry on the baton of Bharat’s civilisation to the present and future generations.
Lokmanthan’s previous editions were held at Bhopal, Ranchi, and Guwahati which focused on themes such as decolonisation and lok parampara.
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