Warangal airport naming consultation renews debate over Telangana’s Kakatiya heritage

A public consultation over the proposed name of Telangana’s Mamnoor airport in Warangal has revived debate about how the state should present its Kakatiya heritage. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy invited suggestions for the airport’s name. Several historically linked options have since emerged, including Kakatiya, Rani Rudrama Devi, Prataparudra and Orugallu.

Rani Rudrama Devi has reportedly become one of the leading suggestions, although the government has not announced a final choice. Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is from Warangal, has publicly supported either Rudrama International Airport or Kakatiya International Airport. Other names circulating in the discussion include Sammakka-Saralamma and former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

The consultation has acquired political significance because of Reddy’s earlier comments about Kakatiya symbolism. During a debate over the redesign of Telangana’s official emblem two years ago, he said the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam would not be retained, describing it as a symbol of anarchy. Reddy had argued that the state emblem should instead represent the Telangana movement, its struggles and its sacrifices.

The airport discussion has brought those earlier remarks back into focus because the government is now considering associating a major public institution in Warangal with the same historical legacy. Warangal, historically known as Orugallu, was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. The city remains associated with rulers including Rudra Deva, Ganapatideva, Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra, giving the proposed name a particular cultural significance.

The reference to “Rudra Dev” has also entered the political conversation because Reddy has reportedly used that name for his grandson, whose reported official name is Reyansh. There is no official indication that the government intends to name the airport after the chief minister’s grandson; the proposal under discussion is centred on Rani Rudrama Devi. The airport debate differs from the emblem controversy because the airport is being considered primarily in relation to Warangal’s local history, while the emblem represents Telangana as a whole.

Discussions have also included incorporating Kakatiya architectural and cultural motifs into the airport. For now, the consultation remains open and multiple possibilities are being considered. The eventual decision will determine how the airport is associated with Warangal’s historical identity.