Bonalu celebrated with gaiety at Dr MCR HRDI

Jubilee Hills: The 'Bonalu' festival was celebrated with gaiety and fervour reflecting the rich culture and vibrant traditions of Telangana on Friday at Dr MCR HRD Institute. The entire campus of the Institute displayed a carnival-like atmosphere.

BP Acharya, the Special Chief Secretary & Director-General of the institute, attended the celebrations. Assistant Collectors under training of batch 2018 allotted to Telangana, military engineer services probationers, Group-I officers of TS, senior officers from Madhya Pradesh, trainees, officers, faculty, and staff of the institute participated in the festivities.

The colourful Bonalu procession started from Vivekananda Lawns and culminated at the temple on the campus. The women dressed in traditional attire, carried bonam on their heads and offered it to the Goddess Mahankali at the temple.

A team of Bonalu artists, sponsored by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of Telangana, dressed up as various goddesses and mythological characters, danced energetically to the captivating folk music and mesmerising beats of drums. A number of spectators gave in to festive mood, matched step-for-step with the professional dancers from the Department of Culture.

The assistant collectors under training, military engineer services probationers, Group-I officers of Telangana, senior officers from MP, and other trainees from across the country, who were extremely proactive in their participation in the celebrations, added a national colour to the festivities. It was a platform for them to showcase unique costumes, diverse dance forms, and rich culture from diverse regions of the country.

"The participation in the Bonalu festival gave us an opportunity to enjoy the rich culture and vibrant traditions of Telangana," said the trainees from different parts of the country. The lunch, which consisted of delicacies from Telangana State, was relished by one and all.