“Kaloji Narayana Rao’s Pen Name Was ‘Baaghi’, But the Absence of Urdu on This Monument Feels Like an Injustice to His Legacy”
Hyderabad September 19 2024 :- The much-awaited Kaloji Kalakshetra, a key cultural project envisioned to reflect Telangana’s rich heritage, is nearing completion in Balasamudram, Warangal. On August 12, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department released Rs. 45 crore to expedite the final stages of construction. Despite efforts by the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) to complete the project by September 9 last year, several delays caused the costs to rise from an estimated Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 85 crore. This four-story structure, designed by noted architect Hafeez Contractor, is set to include a 1,500-seat auditorium, art gallery, library, VIP suites, and dining facilities, all equipped with modern amenities.
However, as the Kalakshetra nears its grand opening, controversy has erupted over the exclusion of Urdu from the building’s inscriptions, a decision that has sparked outrage among local citizens, cultural enthusiasts, and intellectuals. Kaloji Narayana Rao, the cultural icon after whom the Kalakshetra is named, was not only a Telugu poet but also a prolific Urdu poet, known by his pen name “Baaghi.” His brother, Kaloji Rameshwar Rao Shad, was a celebrated Urdu poet as well. The omission of Urdu from the cultural center’s design is being viewed as a failure to honor the complete legacy of the Kaloji family, which made significant contributions to both Telugu and Urdu literary traditions.
Kaloji Narayana Rao, born in 1914, was a freedom fighter, social activist, and poet whose works resonated with the masses. He used both Telugu and Urdu as mediums to address social issues, with his famous Urdu poem “Ghundo Ki Jai Bolo Ghundo Ki Jai” serving as a biting critique of corruption and injustice. Despite his profound influence, his contributions to Urdu literature have often been overlooked. The exclusion of Urdu from the Kalakshetra, therefore, is seen as a cultural oversight that undermines Telangana’s pluralistic identity.
The omission of Urdu is particularly painful given its official status as the second language of Telangana. This neglect is reminiscent of previous incidents, such as the exclusion of Urdu in the Hanamkonda Collectorate inscriptions, which was only corrected after public protests. Despite reminders and appeals, the government has not made significant strides to rectify the omission of Urdu from the Kaloji Kalakshetra project.
Local citizens and supporters of Urdu literature have called on the Telangana government to take immediate action. They argue that promoting Urdu in such a significant cultural institution is crucial for preserving the state’s linguistic and cultural diversity. The exclusion is not just an insult to Kaloji Narayana Rao’s legacy but also a step backward in Telangana’s effort to maintain its multilingual heritage.
The Kalakshetra is a symbolic project, its foundations laid in 2014 as a dream initiative of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Originally managed by the Department of Tourism, responsibility for the project was transferred to KUDA in 2022. Although construction has been delayed, the project is now on the verge of completion, with the final touches being put in place for the building’s grand inauguration by the present Chief Minister.
While the state government celebrates the near completion of this cultural hub, the exclusion of Urdu remains a contentious issue. Citizens and cultural enthusiasts are urging the government to ensure that Kaloji Narayana Rao’s full legacy is honored, calling for Urdu’s inclusion in the institution meant to celebrate the poet’s life and contributions. Only then, they argue, will the Kalakshetra truly reflect the rich cultural tapestry of Telangana, upholding the state’s multilingual identity and pluralistic traditions.
