Telangana State iconic festival Bathukamma is celebrated across Telangana State by women during Dussehra Navaratri days. Since inception of Telangana American Telugu Association (TTA), it has been organizing Bathukamma Celebrations across US with large number of women attending and playing Bathukamma.
With the blessing from TTA Founder Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy, support from TTA Advisory Chair Dr. Vijayapal Reddy, Co-Chair Dr. Mohan Reddy Patlolla, Member Bharat Madadi and under the leadership of TTA President Vamshi Reddy, President Elect Naveen Reddy Malipeddi, TTA General Secretary and Nationwide Bathukamma Advisor Kavitha Reddy coordinated Bathukamma celebrations across the USA in many states this year.
Thousands of Men, Women and Children are participating, showing their affection, and making this event great success.
On October 21, 2023, TTA celebrated the biggest Bathukamma festival in New Jersey, which happens to be the home state of Dr. Mohan Reddy.
Approximately Five Thousand Telugu people attended this event and showed their affection to Telangana tradition, culture, and their love to Bathukamma festival. The Albert Palace in New Jersey flooded with people and parking of the cars on the main roads for a mile.
TTA NJ team members (Joint Secretary Shiva Reddy Kolla, Board of Directors Sudhaker Uppala, Narsimha Peruka, Narendar Yarava and NJ Regional Vice Presidents Madhukar Reddy, Sai Gundur) planned and executed this year event at Royal Albert Palace, Fords, NJ. The huge crowd created an amazing festival look at the venue.
Celebrations started at 11am in the morning with traditional songs. Women, Men and Children started pouring into the venue well dressed in Indian traditional clothing creating a colorful environment. Women along with Bathukamma’s were welcomed into venue with mesmerizing Dhol play.
Over 200 Bathukamma’s were brought by women. Under the leadership of TTA Membership Chair Arun Arkala, TTA volunteers served delightful food to all the guests starting around noon. Priest from Sai Datta Peetam Madhu Bhaskar Sharma performed religious puja to Gouri Devi to give the event an auspicious start.
Puja was performed by Dr. Mohan Reddy Patlolla and his wife Smt. Shailaja and all BODs, RVPs, Core team members. TTA Executive President Narsimha Donthireddy, NJ RVPs Madhukar Reddy, Sai Gundur introduced the event and did a warm welcome. Tanvika And Tarika performed an inaugural classical dance Mahishasura Mardhini mesmerizing the audience.
Popular Play Back Singer, Aha Telugu Indian Idol winner Soujanya Bhagavatula with her melodious voice energized the audience and women started performing Bathukamma dance. Local popular singer Srija Boddu also performed adding more enthusiasm to women.
Deepti Yayavaram was MC for the event did an excellent job running the event smoothly. Women and children performing Bathukamma steps, going around in circles, with energizing voice by singers, encouragement from audience captivated the moments.
Tollywood Art Director Satya Srinivas came all the way from Hyderabad to build 12ft beautiful traditional Bathukamma which was the highlight of the event. This was built under the leadership of Narsimha Peruka, supported by Deepa and Ramana Jalagam and many volunteers.
Local Telugu Organization TFAS supported TTA Bathukamma event and it’s President Madhu Rachakulla and his team joined the event showing their support. Also, leaders and representatives from various national organizations (TANA, ATA, NATA, NATS) were also present for the occasion. Shiva Reddy and Sudhaker Uppala invited them on to stage and introduced to audience. They also introduced the entire TTA organizing committee to the guests and audience and talked about TTA activities.
PMJ Jewels sponsored prizes for best Bathukamma’s, winners were rewarded with Diamond pendants. Similarly, Maaya Fine Jewels sponsored prizes for best dressed women, rewarded with Diamond pendant and gold coin. Smt. Deepa Jalagam managed the ceremony.
Chief Guests for the event were Sam Joshi (Mayor, Edison Township), Ajay Patil (Councilman, Edison Township) and Sam Thompson (NJ State Senator). State of New Jersey and Edison Township gave proclamations certifying TTA and Bathukamma festival. Bathukamma’s were immersed in water marking the closure of the program with the appealing Dhol music. Immersion arrangements were made under the leadership of Narendar Yarava.
TTA New Jersey Core Team and Youth Team with the support of many volunteers made these celebrations an astounding success. There were many clothing and jewelry stalls arranged at the event to attract attendees, just in time for upcoming festivals Dussehra and Diwali.
TTA sincerely thank all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and women who skillfully made beautiful Bathukamma’s and media who covered the event.
TTA Leadership Team from NJ: Dr. Mohan Reddy Patalolla – TTA Advisory Council Co-Chair, Shiva Reddy Kolla – TTA Joint Secretary & Board of Director
TTA Board of Directors from NJ: Sudhaker Uppala, Narsimha Peruka, Narendar Yarava
TTA NJ Regional Vice Presidents: Madhukar Reddy, Sai Gundur
TTA Membership Chair: Arun Reddy Arkala
TTA NJ Core Team - Deepa Jalagam, Sandhya Casula, Anusha Reddy, Lalitha Reddy, Raja Neelam, Prashanth Nalubandhu, Shankar Reddy Vulupala, Srinivas Reddy Maly, Naveen Kouluru, Naveen Yalamandala, Srinivas Jakkireddy, Venky Neele, Vishnu Reddy, Raghuveer P, Siva Nara, Balaganesh, Sairam Gajula, Praneeth Nallapati, Sateesh Mekala and Shilpa Ramadugu
TTA NJ Youth Team - Nimisha Peruka, Ashrith Yarava, Hasika Arkala, Sujay Vulupala, Yasmitha Bommu, Vidvathi Alvakonda, Ishita Reddy Mulay, Veddamshi Gottumukkala, Shruthi Krishna Perumalla, Suchir Bathini, Harshith Yarava, Rishitha Jambula
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