In today’s world, music lovers have an endless array of genres to choose from, including classical, folk, Bollywood, Indi-pop, fusion, rock, hip-hop, dance, country, rap, and more. What’s your favorite genre? And how many young people do you think are glued to their AirPods or headphones, with music playing all day long?

On the other hand, recently, thousands of people, young and old, gathered to celebrate traditional music and dance forms passed down through generations over thousands of years. These include kolatam (stick dance), chidathalu (castanets), dappu (traditional drums), and more.

Since the onset of so-called “modernization,” many people have become distanced from these traditional music and dance forms. This is concerning!

Why is it a cause of concern?

Let’s examine one from each category. The difference between rock music and Kola:tam dance music lies in the foundational nature of their music and the resulting effects on the listener’s manas (mind or consciousness). For instance, genres like rock music can create udrikthaha—a short-lived excitement that disrupts the long-term well-being of the manas. In contrast, traditional music forms, based on divine principles (Bhagava:n), foster utthejam, an uplifting excitement that nurtures and strengthens the manas.

It’s the foundation of the music that acts like manure. The quality of the fruits a tree yields depends on the quality of the manure put into the soil. The stronger and more suitable the manure, the better the yield. In this context, the “manure” affects the manas.

Therefore, it’s crucial that we pay attention to the impact of what we listen to on the strength of the manas. You may say, ‘Well, that is true, but…

Isn’t the creation of new music a step towards progressive path?

A progressive path is one that embraces new ideas, methods, and policies aimed at improving the human condition. If newer music forms are indeed improving the manas, they should be embraced. But the question remains: are they truly nurturing the manas with right ‘manure’? This is something worth contemplating and researching.

Perhaps you could try playing both types on different days and observe how your mind feels afterward—does it leave you feeling peaceful or hyped up? Energized or ‘drained’? 

These traditional, sa:mprada:yic (heritage) music and dance forms are a treasure of divine joy, offering a wealth of spiritual and mental benefits. It’s our responsibility to decide whether we tap into this rich potential or fall for fleeting, surface-level excitement. Sometimes, moving forward requires us to look back—to reconnect with the timeless traditions that have served humanity for millennia. Let’s take this step and strengthen our manas, the most crucial element of the body.

-From the address of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
-Sankeerthana Mandali
-Inauguration, Orugallu Dt.
-Orugallu, 30^th Jan 2025

Thousands gathered, sang, and danced for God’s name, sanctifying the streets of Orugallu. In this digital age, the people here proudly demonstrate that singing God’s name is not only a joyous but a healthy celebration. It’s one of the first grandeur gatherings of artists and enthusiasts of various art forms: dance, singing, harikattha, yakshaga:na, chindu, kola:tam and sathsang. All of these art forms use literature that stems from the founding basis of Bhagava:n, the Lord.

“I didn’t even realize how two hours passed by…”
— Mayor Gundu Sudharani Ji

“An extremely enlightening and enriching time here today…”
— AP MLA Pasunuri Dayakar Ji

“It’s a privilege and an opportunity to organize such an event. Like one takes a shower everyday to clean the body out of dirt and sweat etc, God’s name acts like a shower to clean the impurities of mind and energizes it everyday. Today has been an extremely inspiring day for thousands who witnessed the celebration of traditional genres of music powered by God’s name.”
— Warangal Vikasa Tarangini, a unit of service organization run under the aegis of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji

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