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Detroit celebrates Bathukamma, Dasara with pomp, gaiety
Highlights
As the auspicious Navrathri began and Goddess Gowri returned in the form of flowers to bless her devotees, the atmosphere was electric at the Divine Providence Lithuanian Catholic Church here on Saturday.
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Southfield (Detroit), Michigan, USA: As the auspicious Navrathri began and Goddess Gowri returned in the form of flowers to bless her devotees, the atmosphere was electric at the Divine Providence Lithuanian Catholic Church here on Saturday.
The Telangana Development Forum (TDF), Detroit Chapter’s annual event, had hundreds of women in the metro-Detroit region paying rich tributes to their beloved Goddess, revered as Mother Nature, a life-giver, bestower of good health, prosperity, strength and courage to them.
More than 700 people gathered to observe the festival, which celebrates the bond between different kinds of flowers and water. The event started with worship of Lord Ganapathi followed by women dancing around an explosion of colors and singing in praise of Gowri “Bathukamma Bathukamma Vuyyalo.”
“I am really happy to be at this event and celebrating our culture. To me, this festival, apart from what it is, signifies unity, love and sisterhood among women. It’s unique and perhaps, this is the only festival filled with fun, music and so much celebration. Being part of it year after year, gives me a refreshing feeling,” said 22-year old ShaliniKopally and her feelings were echoed by TDF-USA standing committee members, Uma Pishati and Suma Kalavala.
The festival, not long ago confined to villages and small towns in Telangana region, went from local to global within a span of 10 years. The sea-change in the psyche of natives should be mainly attributed to the cultural revival thanks to Telangana agitation. Now festivals like Bonalu and Bathukamma have become integral in Telangana’s psyche with the TRS coming to power.
The government declared them as official festivals of the State. No wonder then, it even caught the pulse of its people living in bigger towns and metros in India and overseas like America, Europe, Australia and Gulf region resulting in much bigger participation than before.
“Yes, the transition was so amazing. I really can’t believe that these festivals have become the mainstay in our lives. I feel that nowadays Telangana NRIs are so much ahead and focused in celebrating their culture and festivals so much so that Telanganites, back home are vying to match your (NRI’s) enthusiasm,” said Laxman Reddy Kakulavaram, who is on a visit to US and participated in the event.
The evening also marked the worship of the ‘Shami’ tree as Dussehra was round the corner. The gathering exchangedJammileavesand pleasantly greeted each other.
As much as the smells of fall – falling leaves and beautiful flowers, that were ready to bid a perfect adieu, were in the air, the aroma of Telangana dishes provided a perfect ambience to the occasion.
As the attention switched from dance arena to the stage, there were performances galore that hooked up the audience. Film actor, Lohit Kumar was at his best as a show host, mimicry artist and ventriloquist (puppet show). It was an evening where the young performers on the dais enthralled the guests.
Lohit, who also performed at Bathukamma celebrations in Atlanta (Georgia), Portland (Oregon) and Denver (Colarado), during his current trip to US, thanked the TDF for giving him an opportunity to be part of their celebrations.
“I am so glad that I came here and entertained the Telangana TDF community. NRIs, in spite of their busy schedules, are doing a lot in preserving our culture. With all this around here, I absolutely feel I am at home,” said the actor, who featured in 15 Telugu films and many television soaps and shows.
Kaustubh, AkulaMadhamshetty, Lattupally sisters – Ria and Reva, Nidhi ReddyKakulavaram, MahimaPalwai, ShravyaDumbala, Atmakur sisters - Sanika and Meghana, VarnikaJakka, PraseedaChellemella, Aditi Mallepally, ShritaNatala, Yashasvi, ShreshtaDundigalla, TanmayiThippireddy, HarikaIleni, AdyaChintapalli,AditiEarla, AnanyaBhumireddy, SanjanaKesireddy, DhritiPadukone, PravardhVenukadasula, KarthikGankidi, Anvitha, Gaddam brothers – Anish and Sanjith, SohanKosna, Deepthi Venukadasula, VidyaGankidi, Swathi Earla, KeyuraJaligama, ShruthiKanala, ManaswiniMuppa, Varshiniwere part of the cultural troop and enthralled the audience.
TDF Detroit Regional Coordinators, RajashekarGaddam, PrashanthDubbudu, YadagirIleni, KarunakarKandukuri and Krishna Chellemella and TDF-USA General Secretary Praveen Kesireddy thanked the sponsors and volunteers, Mahesh Venukadasula, PremChintapalli, AravindKancherla, VenkatNathala, Sudershan Reddy, Sriram Reddy Jala, VijenderDumbala, Vasu Dundigalla, DeepthiChitrapu, Maheshwar Reddy to name a few, without whom the event would not have become a success.
By: Santhosh Reddy K
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