29 September
Chicago

2008 has produced a new milestone in Telangana Culture abroad, i.e. Bay Area Mega Bhatukamma Festival

The Bhatukamma 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 Biksham Palabindela Gen Secy of TCA. The Mega Bhatukamma was played by about 1000 people which may be 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 Bhatukamma Festival”. It was a Mega success with about 1000 people turned out for the event 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 and Bhatukammas. The park was filled with all sorts of colors with Bhatukammas and colorful dresses of Indian folks.

The festival started at 1 PM when couple of hundred people turned in and Mrutyunjayudu started Gowrie Puja with full honors.

Well known Radio artist and Famous folksinger late Manapragada Narasimha Murthy's wife Smt. Renuka Devi has sung the first 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 2 PM Bhatukamma had a significant presence of about 800 People while most of them were enjoying lunch 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. People were appreciating the efforts of few volunteers for pulling out such a wonderful event, the event was successful barring food shortage as the organizers themselves have not expected such a big turnout. Biksham Palabindela and Vijay Chavva have personally apologized every one for the shortage of food but later compensated with mouthful Pizzas which were ordered instantly.

Tony Spitaleri Honorable Mayor, Sunnyvale , CA has personally visited Bhatukamma amidst his tight schedule but ended up staying for the rest of the evening as he claimed it was rare opportunity for him to get exposed to rural side of India. He inquired several details of the importance of Bhatukamma Festival and thanked TCA team for bringing this kind of festival to his town in Bay Area. He promised any help for next year Bhatukamma Festival. He chose the best Bhatukamma among 35 Bhatukammas and awarded BhartahFamily sponsored IPod to the winner. Hon’ble first citizen Mayor proclaimed that today’s Bhatukamma festival will remain in his memory for ever.

Surprisingly there was a Organic Bhatukamma by Gande family this year where flowers including thread was made organically, it won a special prize.

Vijay Chavva Chairman TCA has honored Mayor in Telangana way with Shawl and presented with Yasala Baliah paintings as a remembrance for his visit .

Indian Presidential Awardee and Telangana Pride Sri Yasala Baliah Garu displayed his art gallery at the festival place. While speaking to the audience he claimed he never seen Bhatukamma with this big number of people even in India. he thanked everyone and said he is proud to be here among all and thanked TCA for acting on preservation and promotion of Telangana Culture.

Siliconandhra President Anand Kuchibotla while addressing audience said Bhatukamma Festival reflects and brings out centuries old traditions of Powerful and Vibrant culture of Telangana and announced Silliconandhra will be playing Saddula Bhatukamma with 2000 people in Flint center,Cupertino on Oct 4th. TANA President Jayaram Komati who could not attend the event personally has sent his message through BATA president Ravi Thiruveedhula and said he has participated Bhatukamma festival several times earlier and felt strong vibrancy of it. He wished everyone on this occasion.

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 from Madhuri Kishore Kuchipudi dance acadamy, and Viswashanthi Bharath natyam dance acadamy.

Biksham Palabindela has thanked the sponsors of the event Athidhi Restaurant, DesiMovers.com, Jessie Tax Service, Dr Kim Dentistry,Beads After Beads, Indus Auto Servicess, Ram Reddy, and Sridhar Gurram and also handed over 10 dollars gift certificates for all prticipants who brought bhatukamma.

The following volunteers have helped in making the arrangements for the festival Arshad Hussain , Lakshmi Narayana,Surendar Penchala,Mayur Reddy,Srinivas Gujju, Gande Tirupataih ,Buchanna Gajula, Venkat Katakam, Bhasker Maddi,Sadanandham,Ravitej, Bhaskar Reddy, Pavan Gurram, Ramu, Shiva Chikoti

At the end Arshad Hussain and Mayur Reddy thanked everyone for making the event grand success and requested to make Saddula Bhatukamma on 4th Oct at Flint Center a grand success during Siliconandhra festival in Cupertino. The Saddula Bhatukamma is expected to be played with 2000 people here which is being arranged by Telangana Cultural Association.