Paper short abstract:

The present phase of Telangana movement has helped revive various art forms conventionally associated with castes and traditional occupations and display the same and it has been interpreted variedly as identity assertion; aspiration; backwardness, etc.

Paper long abstract:

The present phase of Telangana movement has helped revive various art forms conventionally associated with castes and traditional occupations. In the process of showcasing the distinctveness of Telangana culture from that of other Telugu speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh, this political movement has accommodated various castes to display their traditional attire, tools and instruments used in their tradional occupations and performances that signify their caste origin, status and occupation. This revival and display of caste-signifier traditional dress and occupation related tools and instruments has been interpreted variedly as identity assertion; aspiration; backwardness, etc.

In this paper, the ways in which caste and occupation have been invoked and engaged in Telangana movement is analysed. Further a comparison with other political movements will also be made to understand the usage of caste imagery in them.