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Dec 21, 2025
Dr. Srikanth Appikonda

In the Melody of Telugu

I traverse the vast landscapes of music, yet only the old Telugu melodies feel like home to me. Timeless melodies of the 1950s and 19G0s carry a gentle resonance - calm, tender, and soothing, offering rest to a weary traveller beneath a tree, where the leaves murmur softly in a playful breeze. Classic Telugu melodies hold me in a quiet, inexplicable spell. Though I speak Telugu, reading and writing it elude me. everyday conversation feels natural, but the classical literary forms remain largely inaccessible. The solace I find in old melodies, then, goes beyond poetry or literal understanding. Nostalgia offers no easy answer either; I barely heard those songs while growing up. Raised outside Andhra, my childhood soundscape was shaped mostly by Hindi music. Yet what I lack in linguistic mastery has turned into an unexpected gift. My limited grasp of Telugu frees me from analysis and allows me to experience the language in its purest form, not through meaning, but through sound. When I listen to the old melodies, I perceive something my conscious mind does not need to translate. Perhaps the inexplicable spell arises from my fragmented roots: Telugu is neither familiar enough to dissect nor distant enough to breed indifference. My relationship with it exists in sound and rhythm, rather than literal understanding. Those golden-era songs, with their unhurried pacing, simple orchestration and poetic phrasing, sung in voices that carried restraint and dignity, transform Telugu itself into music. In its lyrical and classical form, the language awakens something deep and instinctive, something that feels unmistakably like belonging. Still, the question lingers: could this simply be subconscious bias? After all, Telugu is my mother tongue. To explore how language alone can reshape the emotional texture of a melody, it is revealing to look at compositions that share the same musical foundation across different languages. The immortal Brundavanamadi Andaridi, composed by S. Rajeswara Rao for the Telugu film Missamma (1955), finds counterparts in Tamil as Brindavanamum Nandhakumaaranum (Missiamma, 1955) and in Hindi as Brindaban Ka Krishna Kanhaiya (Miss Mary, 1957). Carried across languages without altering the melodic core, this composition offers an opportunity to listen beyond familiarity and meaning and to hear how language itself reshapes musical perception. A comparison of the three versions reveals notable differences in vowel richness, word density, and lyrical textural differences that significantly influence musical flow. The Telugu version is strikingly vowel-rich, with most words ending in open vowels, such as andari vaadele, aanandamule, and pongadate. This creates a bright, continuous tonal stream that lends itself naturally to sustained notes and a smooth, cohesive melodic line. Tamil too favours vowel endings, such as selvamandro, mayangaadhavaro, thullaadhaa, but balances them with consonant closures like brindhaavanamum and yaavarukkum. The result is a texture that remains fluid while introducing gentle rhythmic punctuation. Hindi, by contrast, employs a more varied mix of vowel and consonant endings, such as aankhon ka taara or ghat saavan ki, producing a more dynamic and speech-like texture. Additionally, Hindi’s more analytic structure leads to a higher word count. Where Telugu and Tamil often compress meaning into agglutinative forms, Hindi typically unfolds the same idea across multiple words. The Telugu brundavanamadi conveys “belonging to Brindavan” within a single word, while Hindi requires vrindaavan ka. Similarly, andari vaadele succinctly expresses “he belongs to everyone,” a thought that Hindi expands into sab ka pyaara. This linguistic economy allows Telugu and Tamil to maintain greater vowel continuity and melodic smoothness, while Hindi’s word-rich phrasing introduces more articulation points within the tune. A similar pattern emerges in A. R. Rahman’s Kaatre En Vaasal from the Tamil film Rhythm (2000), later composed in Telugu as Gaale Naa Vatikikoche and adapted into Hindi as Paighaam Laya Saawan for Lakeer. Once again, the Telugu version is the most vowel-saturated, with an uninterrupted stream of open vowel endings that allows melodic phrases to stretch and flow with minimal interruption. The song moves like the breeze it describes. Tamil maintains vowel dominance but introduces soft, nasal consonants that add gentle rhythmic definition without breaking the melodic line. Hindi, with its greater number of consonant endings, introduces frequent micro-pauses that anchor the melody. The result is a sound that is texturally rich and expressive, yet more segmented and speech-oriented than its South Indian counterparts. Taken together, these examples suggest that Telugu’s vowel-rich structure with fewer acoustic obstacles naturally supports a seamless melodic flow, Tamil offers a measured balance between fluidity and form, and Hindi, navigating a denser phonetic terrain, delivers narrative richness and variety. Linguistic structure, through vowel-consonant patterns and word density, quietly but powerfully shapes how a melody is felt. Listening to these shared melodies feels like walking through open country toward home. Hindi is the winding road that leads the way; expressive and narrative, carrying the song forward with purpose, one turn at a time. Tamil becomes the stone path at the threshold; carefully carved and firmly set, balanced and enduring, giving the melody shape, weight, and quiet dignity. Telugu is the gentle breeze that moves through the space itself; slipping past pillars and across courtyards, unbound by edges or intention. Each language, with its own nature, is essential to the journey; together they allow the same melody to be felt not as a single place, but as a passage. And when the weary traveller finally arrives, it is often that breeze, gentle and soothing, that feels most like home. And for those who wish to linger a little longer in that breeze, these are a few melodies to return to, songs that seem to belong to a quieter time. They may carry you back to another time, carefree and unhurried, when conversations drifted across wide courtyards, voices settled on worn stone steps or small cots, and a radio was left playing softly, letting music fill the spaces in between. Akasha veedhilo andala jabili Nannu dochukunduvate Lahiri lahiri lo Mabbulo yemundi Telisindile telisindile Chelikadu ninne rammani piluva Pagale vennela Adutu paadutu pani chesthunte Ravoyi chandamama Prema yatralaku Nannu vadali Chitapata chinukulu Repanti roopamkanti …and so many more, waiting to be heard again.

Dec 21, 2025
Dr Ryan Baidya

India, Bangladesh, and the Hindu Minority Crisis: A Strategic, Legal, and Civilisational Assessment Under the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Doctrine

The rapid political meltdown in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government has triggered an unprecedented wave of organised violence against the Hindu minority. This violence, visible in the past year but intensified dramatically in the last several days, includes targeted killings, arson, assaults on women, desecration of temples, and mass displacement. Bangladesh’s transitional government has failed to provide security, and non-state extremist actors have exploited the instability. India, as the region’s largest power and the civilisational homeland of the Hindu population of East Bengal, faces a dilemma with profound humanitarian, strategic, and geopolitical implications. The crisis challenges India's regional leadership ambitions, its historical responsibilities arising from the 1947 Partition, and its growing global position as a defender of democratic norms and human rights. The article argues that India must seriously consider invoking the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine—an UN-endorsed framework that obliges states and the international community to intervene (including with limited force) when a state fails to protect its population from genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. India has legal standing, moral legitimacy, historical responsibility, and strategic incentive to act. The crisis demands a multi-phase, calibrated approach that combines diplomatic escalation, humanitarian mechanisms, international legal frameworks, and contingency planning for targeted protective action if violence further escalates. Failure to act will not only endanger the Hindu minority in Bangladesh but also destabilise India’s eastern frontier, embolden extremist actors, undermine India’s global standing, and allow external powers (notably China) to fill strategic vacuums. India must recognise that regional stability begins at its borders—and that the protection of vulnerable populations with deep civilizational ties to India is both a moral duty and a strategic necessity. A Crisis India Can No Longer Ignore Bangladesh is undergoing one of the most chaotic transitions since its independence in 1971. The resignation of the Hasina government, followed by the rise of a fragile interim administration, has dismantled the security architecture that once restrained extremist networks. In this climate, the Hindu minority—already traumatised by decades of discrimination—has become a primary target. Reports and field assessments show: Houses burned in coordinated attacks Hindu women assaulted or abducted Temples looted or destroyed Entire neighbourhoods depopulated overnight Police units are either inactive or overwhelmed Massive demonstrations by Hindus pleading for help This violence is not random. It is systematic, organised, and occurring under conditions in which the Bangladeshi state is failing in its basic duty to protect vulnerable populations. For India, this is not merely a humanitarian concern. It is a regional security threat, a civilisational responsibility, and a strategic test. The Historical Burden: Partition and Abandonment Any analysis of the Hindu crisis in Bangladesh must return to 1947, when the Partition created borders that did not reflect historical, demographic, or cultural realities. The Hindus of East Bengal—the very population now under attack—did not choose to separate from India. They did not vote for Pakistan. They did not consent to their minority status. Partition was shaped by: Colonial divide-and-rule strategies Hasty geopolitics of departing British administrators Political compromises among Indian elites The outcome was catastrophic: Millions killed or displaced Civilisations split unnaturally Families scattered Religious minorities left stranded The Hindus of East Bengal were abandoned by history, and India never fully acknowledged the magnitude of this abandonment. The demographic collapse since then reflects a pattern of structural violence: Year Hindu Population in East Bengal/Bangladesh 1947 ~30% 1974 ~13% 1991 ~10% 2022 <8% 2026 Estimated 6–7% No minority in South Asia has suffered such sustained demographic erosion without large-scale war. The present crisis must be seen through this long historical lens: the suffering of Bangladeshi Hindus is not new—it is the continuation of Partition’s unfinished tragedy. The Current Crisis: Anatomy of a State Failure Following the government's collapse: Security forces retreated or fragmented. Extremist networks mobilised. Local political actors exploited chaos. Minorities became primary targets. Documented incidents include: Homes burned in districts such as Khulna, Jessore, and Barisal Murders of Hindu schoolteachers and community leaders Forced resignations of minority professors Looting of ISKCON temples Abduction of young Hindu women Entire villages migrating toward the Indian border The state’s inability to protect its citizens has triggered a humanitarian emergency and raised the question of international obligations under R2P. The R2P Framework: Sovereignty as Responsibility The Responsibility to Protect, adopted unanimously at the 2005 UN World Summit, rests on three pillars: Pillar I: States must protect their populations from mass atrocities: Bangladesh is failing this obligation. Pillar II: The international community must assist States in fulfilling this responsibility: India has the geographic proximity and civilizational connections to lead such assistance. Pillar III: If a State manifestly fails, the international community must be prepared to take collective action, including force, as a last resort. The doctrine explicitly recognises: genocide war crimes ethnic cleansing crimes against humanity The situation in Bangladesh increasingly aligns with ethnic cleansing indicators, including forced displacement, destruction of cultural sites, and targeting of specific communities. India, under R2P, has full legal standing to lead regional or multilateral interventions. India’s Strategic Imperatives 5.1 Border Stability and Refugee Pressures Violence against Hindus has consistently produced refugee flows into India—particularly West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. Large-scale displacement creates: demographic pressures communal tensions administrative burdens political flashpoints India cannot absorb another wave resembling the 1971 exodus. Extremist Expansion on India’s Eastern Frontier Bangladesh’s instability creates opportunities for - Islamist groups, insurgent outfits, transnational networks and intelligence proxies An extremist corridor on India’s eastern flank poses the same threat magnitude as Pakistan-based networks on the western border. China’s Expanding Influence China has invested billions in Bangladesh through BRI projects, port infrastructure, and military cooperation. A weakened Bangladeshi state under Chinese influence, combined with anti-Hindu violence, directly undermines India’s regional leadership. India’s Civilisational Identity and Global Leadership As India aspires to leadership in the Global South, its credibility depends on principled humanitarian action. Silence in the face of atrocities weakens India’s normative power. India’s Policy Options: A Multi-Phase Strategy This article proposes a calibrated, three-phase framework. Phase One: Diplomatic Escalation (Immediate) Raise the crisis at the UN Security Council- Demand an emergency session. Mobilise R2P language in international statements - Signal legal intent. Push for an international monitoring mission- Including human-rights observers. Engage key partners- the US, Japan, the EU, Australia and ASEAN Demand that Bangladesh secure its minorities- Hold perpetrators accountable. Phase Two: Humanitarian Protection Measures (Short Term) Establish humanitarian corridors near the border. Precedent: Syria, Yemen, Sudan. Deploy Indian disaster-response units. Not military incursions—but security-assisted humanitarian operations. Create “Safe Shelters” along the Indian side of the border. Prevent chaotic refugee influxes. Coordinate with NGOs, ISKCON, and civil society networks. Provide logistical and medical assistance. Phase Three: Contingent Protective Action Under R2P (If Violence Escalates) If atrocities continue: Establish internationally monitored safe zones inside Bangladesh- With India providing security assistance. Conduct limited, precise operations against extremist groups- Only those directly attacking Hindu settlements. Joint India–Bangladesh stabilisation framework- If Dhaka consents, India can assist in restoring order. Technology-enabled monitoring- Satellites, drones, and intelligence sharing. This is not an invasion. This is a preventive humanitarian intervention, consistent with 1971 and modern R2P norms. Scenario Forecasts: The Next 6–18 Months Scenario 1: Bangladesh stabilises (Low-Medium probability) Requires strong political leadership, security coherence, and regional support. Scenario 2: Prolonged instability and minority cleansing (High probability) Most likely trajectory given current conditions. Scenario 3: Mass refugee flow into India (Medium-High probability) It would strain India domestically and heighten political tensions. Scenario 4: Radical groups seize territorial footholds (Medium probability) A long-term strategic threat to India. Scenario 5: China expands influence through stabilisation offers (High probability) Beijing may present itself as a “neutral stabiliser,” sidelining India Risks & Mitigations Risk 1: Diplomatic fallout with Bangladesh Mitigation: Frame actions through R2P and humanitarian language. Risk 2: International criticism of intervention Mitigation: Build multilateral backing and document atrocities. Risk 3: Domestic communal polarisation Mitigation: Emphasise protection for all persecuted minorities. Risk 4: Military escalation Mitigation: Use limited, precise, legally justified operations. Risk 5: Chinese countermoves Mitigation: Strengthen India-Japan-US coordination. Strategic Recommendations Recommendation 1: Immediately internationalise the issue. No more bilateral quiet diplomacy. Recommendation 5: Prepare military and intelligence contingencies discreetly. Recommendation 2: Mobilise R2P frameworks proactively. Signal that India is prepared for responsibility-sharing interventions. Recommendation 6: Increase monitoring of extremist activity within Bangladesh. Recommendation 3: Build a regional coalition for minority protection. Recommendation 7: Offer political support for Bangladesh’s internal stabilisation—conditional on minority protection. Recommendation 4: Establish humanitarian infrastructure on India’s side of the border. Recommendation 8: Counter Chinese influence diplomatically and strategically. Conclusion: A Defining Test of India’s Role in South Asia The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Hindu minority is not an isolated event. It is a continuation of historical injustices dating back to Partition, compounded by contemporary political failures. For India, the crisis is a test of regional leadership, strategic foresight, humanitarian responsibility, civilisational identity, and geopolitical maturity. If India aspires to be the stabilising power of South Asia, it must act—not rashly, but decisively, lawfully, and strategically. The Responsibility to Protect doctrine provides both the legal framework and moral foundation for action. India must lead, not merely observe. To protect Sanatan beyond India’s borders is to secure it within them. To protect vulnerable populations in Bangladesh is to protect regional stability itself. This is India’s moment to demonstrate that its rise is anchored not only in economic and military power, but in moral courage and civilisational duty.