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Bathukamma Celebrations held in NY by T.A.T.A

Bathukamma Celebrations held in NY by T.A.T.A

Telangana American Telugu Association (T.A.T.A.), New York, celebrated Bathukamma, a festival of flowers, in New York on October 2, 2016, with support from local organization TLCA.

More than 600 members and families from various parts of New York attended the festivities.  Bathukamma is a colorful and vibrant annual floral festival of celebrated by women.

Though originated and celebrated mostly in Telangana Region, families across all the regional and cultural boundaries join in this auspicious festival in New York reflecting the unity among Telugus.

Families brought Bathukammas, a floral arrangement of many varieties of beautiful flowers stacked in layers in the shape of a pyramid.

The venue was specially decorated for the celebrations. Women clad in colorful traditional dresses and choice of beautiful gold ornaments and men and children in the traditional attire added more color to the event. 

The festivities started with Lalitha parayanam, the women members chanting mantras in praise of Goddess Durga who is a symbol of womanhood and the universal Shakti, with utmost devotion.  

Later with all the Bathukammas in center, womenfolk danced circling around these floral arrangements singing devotional Bathukamma songs.

Delicious lunch was served with authentic Telangana recipes. The later part of the afternoon was filled with entertainment and enthralled the audience with many games. Women fashion show was a big hit with any members hitting the ramp walk.  

Guests enthusiastically participated in many competitions being organized at the event.  

At the end, the floor was opened to the guests for a non-stop music and dance Dandiya.  Dandiya is a traditional folk dance associated with Bathukamma, Dasara festivals, in praise of Goddess Durga. Men and women from all ages paired up dancing to the upbeat music. 

Ranjeeth Kyatham, Regional Vice-President, thanked all the members for their active participation and making the event a great success.  

He thanked TLCA President Satya Challapalli and the Executive Committee for excellent logistic support and participation in the event.

The entire event was supported and encouraged by T.A.T.A. Advisory Council Chair, Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy, a noted businessman and philanthropist from New York.  

Galaxy of leaders from T.A.T.A., Board of Directors, Dr Sudhakar Vidiyala, Madava Reddy Uppugalla and Phanibushan Tadepalli, TLCA Board of Trustees along with the Chairman, Dr. Raghava Rao Polavarapu, Dr. Purnachandhar Atluri, Dr Krishna Reddy Gujavarthi, Dr. Sridevi Bhumi attended the event.

Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy spoke at the occasion and reiterated T.A.T.A.’s commitment to promote Telugu Culture and values, working closely with the local organizations throughout the US. The dignitaries attended gave away the prizes to the winners of the competitions held during the event.

The organizers thanked all the Regional Coordinators for their untiring efforts throughout the planning, designing the program flow and meticulously executing the event.

The guests thanked T.A.T.A. for organizing the Bathukamma festivities and appreciated the meticulous arrangements, the delicious food and the entertaining games involving the families. They said the event brought back the memories of festivities celebrated back home before they made it to the US.

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