The TDF-USA NJ, NY, PA Chapter held its 10th Bathukamma festival at Thompson park, Monroe township, NJ on Sunday September 29, 2013. People started coming at 12 Noon, by 1 PM the park filled with children with colorful dresses, and woman with beautiful saris and men gathered to discuss the latest developments back home.
There were 30 Bathukammas and some 30 Inch tall. Beautiful weather, the green trees, the lake, colorful flowers and women silk saris added an extra dimension to the festival.
Dozens of volunteers brought homemade delicious Telangana food. The aroma of food and Bathukamma songs made everyone feel as if they are celebrating it back in Telangana. Men as usual used this occasion to discuss the politics and everyone was eager to see 60 years dream of Telangana State formation complete soon.
Lunch started at 1:00 PM and continued, at 2:30 PM we started the sports. We had running competition for children under 7, 8-11, 12-14, 15 and above categories. We had the Lemon spoon race for 8-14, and women, followed by Tug-of-war for men. The men were not satisfied with onetime, and made it a best-of-three to decide which side won.
At 3PM, Women brought their Bathukammas to an open area, placed them at the center and started forming circles. The Bathukamma songs played on juke box, and women started clapping their hands and singing ‘Vuyyaala’ in chorus and moving in circles. The circle was so large, at one time over 300 women playing together. Bathukamma is one of the most beautiful festivals which bring women from all sections of society irrespective of their class and caste and it is socially the most unifying festival.
At 4:30 PM, we had a small break for the prize distribution. Raj Seelam described the beauty of Bathukamma in a poetic form. Prizes were distributed to all the winners, including best Bathukamma, best singer and the best-dressed women.
Women resumed playing Bathukamma again for another 30 Minutes. Then they formed a line and took Bathukammas to lake in a procession singing send-off songs, also asking Gouramma to bless their family with good health, prosperity and happiness. Once they reached the lake, they put Bathukamma’s on ground and sing additional songs. Finally they started the Nimmajjanam by floating Bathukamma in lake. The site was so beautiful to see and so many colorful Bathukammas were floating and moving away. After Nimajjanam, men and women greeted each other wishing the best for each and everyone.
TDF President Murali Chintalpani thanked all the TDF Organigers and volunteers Madhu K Reddy, Jamuna & Ravi Puskur, Karunakar Neravetla, Parmesh Beemreddy, Shravan Poreddy, Kartheek Arutla, Ram Reddy, Raghueer Reddy, Raj and Sandhya Seelam,Laxman Anugu, Nandhini Dargula, Rajitha rao, Aparna ArramReddy,Madhu K Reddy, Pratap Reddy, Suresh Jilla, Ashok Narayana, Praveen Mitta, Sudhakar Pailla, Vijay Kundur, Krishna Dyapa, Laxma Reddy, Praveen Thakkalapally, Jagdish Gabbeta ,Sreelatha Danda , Venu Vallabu, Sanjeev Gaddam,Mahipal voddi, Vilas Jambula Sravan Dubbudu.
Many community leaders Sudhakar Perkari ATA President Elect, KrishnaSri TLCA president, Narender Yasa, Vinod Koduru, Dr Parashuram Reddy, Narayana Pirlamarla, Dr Madhusudhan Reddy, Praveen Rao Maknoor attended the event.