2010 has produced a new milestone in the History of Telangana Culture abroad, i.e. Bay Area Mega Batukamma Festival 2010 which attracted more than 1000 people to play a traditional Bathukamma Festival.
The Overseas Bathukamma created a new page for itself today in its history with the Mega Bhatukamma Festival conducted by Telangana Cultural Association(www.TelanganaCulture.org) in California USA which was Co-ordinated by TCA under supervision of Saideesh Ajjan.
The Mega Bhatukamma was particpated by about 1000 people which is the biggest ever crowd for a Bhatukamma Festival abroad. The months of September and October are the most festive months for Telanganites abroad. There are two major festivals celebrated during these months and at least 15 days before and after Dussera are filled with the aura of great festivity and happy moods of family reunions .
The event was a mega success as it is named by Telangana Cultural Association "Mega Batukamma Festival 2010”. The event was celebrated in very traditional dresses. Women folks were dressed in very traditional way by wearing all colorful saris and Kids came in Parikinis. Majority of the men came in traditional dresses while rest had their own choice for comfort on a very sunny and clear day. The very big Park in the midst of the town turned out to become pale in front of the colors thrown by colorful women in sarees and Bhatukammas. The park was filled with all sorts of colors with Bathukammas and colorful dresses of Indian folks.
The festival started at 3 PM sharp when Vice Mayor of Sunnyvale city Mr Christopher Moylan representing first citizen of city brought flowers and offered prayers to Gandhiji on the occassion of Gandhi Jayanthi.He said World needs Gandhisim today and also Indians brought rich culture to valley and thanked everyone for this.
Later Mrutyunjayudu started Gowrie Puja with full honors with the help of women offering prayers. Bhasker Maddi moderated program and cheered ladies to come and play in rounds.
Well known Radio artist and Famous folksinger late Manapragada Narasimha Murthy's wife Smt. Renuka Devi has sung specially composed TCA's 'Americalo Bhatukamma song' while it was well chorused by huge crowd. Later visiting mothers and mothers-in-law took over the control of singing with beautiful Telangana rural folk voice playing Bhatukamma in background.
At about 6 PM Bhatukamma had a significant presence of about 1000 People while most of them were enjoying dinner served and others were continuing with cheerful songs and dances around in circles. The whole scene reflected like thousand pillars temple in Warangal many commented.
On this occasion,TCA along with local two strong Telugu associations Silliconandhra and BATA jointly launched a book on selective line drawings of Indian Presidential Awardee and Telangana Pride Sri Yasala Baliah. Vijay Chavva Chairman of TCA and its core team along with Srilu Veligeti President BATA, Anand Kuchibotla of Silliconandhra and Vijay Aasuri jointly launched this book. Every one cheered joyous to see feast of all Telugu Association joining together for releasing this book during this wonderfull event. Thelimited edition book showcases the early series of selective line drawings from 1957-1975 and is intended for archival and reference for art lovers across the world.
Biksham Palabindela and Buchanna Gajula from India have helped day and night for preparation for this mega festival.
Everyone in the gathering were seen discussing the beautiful memories from the child hood in rural side and men were discussing current political scenario in the state. Many Andhrites and Rayalaseema folks along with North Indian Folks were seen asking more details and importance of the festival. When they learnt that women folk in Telangana do this festival for health, wealth and long lives of their husbands and families they already started inquiring for next year Bhatukamma Festival. The TCA team truly promoted Bhatukamma Festivals beyond the region through this event. One of the American guy Ivan Pontic who attended the event with his girl friend was seen asking for some help to visit this festival in India in next coming year and said he wants to explore the rural culture in India. He said his long cherished dream of visiting India, partly came through by attending today’s event in Sunnyvale.
Few kids perform the dance for 30 min .
Raju Yasala has thanked the sponsors of the event Sannidhi Restaurant, Bharath Movers,
Arshad Hussain Bhasker Bandikkalu and Chakri have overseen food arrangements for the festival. Several Local Indian restaurants participated in preparing food for the event.
The gallery of this cultural feast can be seen at :
http://picasaweb.google.com/Telangana.Cultural.Assn/Batukama2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCI-tz92pjv7h6wE#
