Bonalu beats: Youths come up with theme songs to promote rich culture

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad wore a festive look as people celebrated the annual Bonalu festival with pomp and grandeur. While the festival is known for people singing and dancing to folk music on the streets, it is also a creative season for young people who compose Bonalu-themed songs that are played in various temples.

Aiming at keeping the tradition of Telangana alive forever, music enthusiasts Suraj Balamrai, Boxer Naresh, Rudravaram Vikram and Addagutta Laddu conduct audio launches and distribute CDs to people for free.

The songs on Bonalu traditions, Goddess Kali and general notions in society have been a hit. Songs like Lashkar Bonalu, Bangaru Maisamma, Dhumu Dhumu and Gali Gali Tirugu have already secured 10,000 hits on YouTube.

Also the chief organiser of the Bonalu events, 26-year-old Suraj says he has been working on the songs for years and only now did these strike a chord with people.

“We record songs in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. This year, we released nine songs. We’ve been organising events at places such as the Ujjaini Mahankali temple, Golconda, Bowenpally, Shamirpet and Dilsukhnagar which are attended by around 5,000 people,” adds Suraj.

We don’t take donations; we do it all by ourselves and distribute our CDs for free,” he says. His recent audio launch was attended by minister for irrigation, Telangana State, Harish Rao. Naresh, 25, a mass communication student and a national-level boxer and a medallist, juggles between many passions, but he takes time off from his schedule for Bonalu.

“This is our attempt to make sure that our culture is not lost,” says Naresh. Addagutta Laddu, a businessman, says, “We want people to come out and enjoy Bonalu. Our songs reflect our unique culture.” Anthony Clement, who has composed over 3,000 songs says, “I research about the culture here constantly. We must all increase our knowledge about local tradition.”