Bathukamma is the iconic festival of Telangana. This colorful festival of flowers is celebrated by the women across the state with utmost devotion. Since the formation of Telangana American Telugu Association (TTA) in 2015, it is celebrating this festival in a grandeur manner across USA involving all the Telugu community.
With the blessing from TTA Founder Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy, and under the direction of Dr. Vijayapal Reddy (Advisory Chair), Dr. Mohan Reddy Patalolla (Advisory Co-Chair), Bharath Reddy Madadi, Srini Anugu (Advisory Members), Naveen Malipeddi (President), Vamshi Reddy Kancharakuntla (Past President), and the guidance from Shiva Reddy Kolla (General Secretary), Bathukamma festival is being celebrated in a grand scale across the USA this year.
Thousands of NRIs attended the event and showed their affection to the Telangana culture and traditions.
On September 21, 2025, TTA Celebrated the Biggest Bathukamma festival at the spacious and beautiful Grand Banquet Hall in Royal Albert Palace, New Jersey, which happens to be the home state of TTA Advisory Co-Chair Dr. Mohan Patalolla. Under the leadership of Shiva Reddy Kolla (General Secretary - TTA), Narsimha Peruka (International Vice President), Sudhaker Uppala (Newsletter Director), Arun Arkala (BOD), Narendar Yarava (Standing Committee Chair) and Smt. Deepa Jalagam (Women’s Team Lead) the event was very well organized and celebrated with a huge crowd of over 5,000 people.
Men, women, and children dressed in traditional outfits created a Telangana atmosphere in New Jersey. Prashanth Nalubandhu, Raja Neelam, Sairam Gajula (TTA NJ Regional Vice Presidents) and NJ Core worked diligently to make this program grand success. Many volunteers helped and assisted during the event.
Celebrations started at about 11 am with 15 feet Grand Bathukamma standing at the center of the hall..
DP Priest Rama Chari performed Gouri Puja with TTA Core Team, and thus making an auspicious start to the event. Tarika & Tanvika team (Tara Arts Academy) gave a mesmerizing dance performance depicting Ammavaru. MC for the event was Swetha Kommoji, and she encouraged and engaged women to perform Bathukamma steps.
Popular Folk Singer Shalini G, who came from India did an excellent job by singing Bathukamma songs, guiding women to form the circles, teaching them the steps and motivating them to perform the traditional steps. Over 200 beautiful Bathukamma’s were brought by women across NJ, showing the devotion and affection to the culture.
It was an amazing experience to see thousands of women and children going around the Bathukamma’s dancing to the tunes of songs and it is beyond words to explain the divinity and beauty of the event. Popular Telugu Film actress Smt. Roja Ramani graced the occasion, and she was felicitated during the event.
TTA leadership team from neighboring states including Sahodar Peddireddy (Treasurer), Narsimha Reddy Donthireddy (BOD – 10th Anniversary Chair), Srinivas Guduru (Literary & Souvenir Director), Ranjeeth Kyatham (BOD), Sunil Reddy Gaddam, Rama Vanama, Pradeep Kadiyapuram, Anudeep Dhiddi joined the celebrations.
Many leaders of local and national organizations (TFAS, TANA, ATA, NATS, ICA, TDF etc.) represented the celebrations showing their support. Several dignitaries including Piyush Singh (CGI NY Consul – Political & PIC), Sridhar Chillara (CEO – ManaTV & TV5 USA), Raghu Sharma Shankaramanchi (SDP), Damu Gedala (Community Leader), Upendra Chivukula (Former Assemblyman) attended the event and congratulated the team for well-organized celebrations. Sudhaker Uppala and Shiva Reddy introduced the leaders and dignitaries to the audience.
Dr. Mohan Patlolla and Shailaja Patalolla were recognized with his picture made with millets, for his continued support and major sponsorship every year. This picture was presented by Narsimha Peruka and was made by popular India millet artist Sri. Vijaya Kumar Moka.
Maaya Fine Jewels sponsored the prizes for best Bathukamma’s and handed over the prizes. TTA also awarded prizes to best dressed women. Leaders and dignitaries handed over the mementoes to Sponsors, Donors and Artist. Bathukamma’s were immersed in the water under the guidance of Narendar Yarava marking the closing of the event.
15 feet height Bathukamma was the center of the attraction. This was prepared by Ramana, Deepa Jalagam, Narsimha Peruka and core team with lot of dedication and care. NJ Core Team and youth helped in setting up the stalls. Large number of women were shopping at these vendors and buying their favorite clothing and jewelry.
Our sincere thanks to sponsors, donors and volunteers for their support and help. We couldn’t have done this without their support. Our special thanks to sponsors - Maaya Fine Jewels, NY Life, Nihi Foods, Pepper House (Food Vendor), Somireddy Law Group, ANG Infotech, Axria and BIG Chicken. Our special thanks to Vani (Vibrant Style Decors), Srinivas Jaggannagari (DJ Jaggus), Chinna Reddy Sama (Photographer), Mayur Rana (Dhol), Masato Events (LED), Krishna (AAA Checker Taxi) for their services.
TTA NJ Team:
- Advisory Committee - Cochair: Mohan Reddy Patlolla
- TTA Secretary: Shiva Reddy Kolla
- TTA International Vice President: Narsimha Peruka
- TTA Newsletter Director: Sudhaker Uppala
- TTA BOD: Arun Arkala
- TTA Standing Committee Chair: Narendar Yarava
- NJ Women’s Team Lead: Deepa Jalagam
- NJ RVPs: Prashanth Nalubandhu, Raja Neelam, Sairam Gajula
- Standing Committee Co-chairs: Shankar Reddy Vulupala, Srinivas Reddy Maly, Naveen Kouluru
- New Jersey Team: Sai Gundur, Naveen Yalamandala, Srinivas Jakkireddy, Venky Neela, Raghuveer P, Siva Nara, Balaganesh, Praneeth Nallapati, Anil Kumar Reddy, Narasimha Reddy
- Organizing Team: Shailaja Patalolla, Deepa Jalagam, Navya Reddy, Shailaja Uppala, Vani Peruka, Kavitha Yarava, Haritha Arkala, Archana Gundur, Lalitha Reddy Mulay, Jyothi Kolla, Saritha Singireddy, Saritha Kuppireddy Jyotsna Nalubandhu, Shilpa Neelam, Sravanthi Alvakonda, Suneetha Torlapati, Shailu Gangula, Manju Chenchu, Roja Venkat
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