Jubilant Bathukamma festivities in the US

The spirit of Telangana is spreading far and wide and Bathukamma is the apt occasion to highlight the festivities. Religious fervour and gaiety marked the annual Bathukamma - Dasaranavarathri celebrations, organised by the Telangana Development Forum (TDF) in Detroit on Saturday.

Hundreds of Telangana women, decked up traditionally, arrived at the venue with flower stacks of various hues that embodied Goddess MahaGowri, who is revered as life-giver and symbolises womanhood by the Telangana folklore. The decibel levels were high and the spirit was gushing at the venue as the ladies danced to devotional Bathukamma songs till they dropped. It was a pleasant sight to see girls as young as 5-10-years-old joining their mothers and sisters in their ode to Mother Nature. The six-hour event surpassed the attendance of the preceding years as over 700 people of Telangana origin, living in the Greater Detroit area, thronged the venue.

The TDF has been working tirelessly since 1999 to spread Telangana culture and ethos among younger generations living in America and Europe. The huge impetus was the creation of the much-cherished Telangana State and the new government declaring it as an official festival.

A temple priest was handy in performing the Shami Pooja, to mark the ensuing Dasara festival, following which men, women and girls and boys exchanged greetings.

“We know India has a rich culture and it was a lovely sight to see so many Indians gather and celebrate festivals together. We are glad to know that this festival is mostly for women and by the women. It provided us an insight into your culture. We are happy to be here,” said Anna and Darwin couple, who stopped by and stayed put for a good three hours.

The gathering was treated to a sumptuous meal followed by a cultural ‘nite’ where performances by children between the age group of 4-16 caught the eye.

Varsha Nama, Shruthi Kanala, Tanvi Kesi Reddy and Ria-Reeva Lattupally sisters entertained with their classical dance, songs and dance medleys, thanks to the good work behind the scenes by choreographer Kruthi and Kushal Jaligama. Upcoming playback singer Divya Madhuri, from Detroit and Maa Super Singer fame Praveen Kumar Jaligama from Chicago, were enchanting with their melodious tunes.

The function would have been rendered useless had the TDF jury not acknowledged the nimble hands behind the floral incarnations of Goddess Gowri. Sunitha Lakkakula walked away with the first prize and Deepthi, Bindu, Mamatha and Uma stood second. Shakuntha, Supriya and Swapna took home the third, fourth and fifth prizes for their beautiful creations.

In Hyderabad