DTC brings Traditional Bathukamma grandeur to Michigan

Detroit, MI, USA, Sep 17: Bathukamma, a colorful, traditional, and Telangana's very own festival was celebrated by hundreds of Telanganites in Detroit for the sixth consecutive year. It was night filled with festive gaiety, religious fervor at the Farmington Hills St. Toma Church here on Saturday, September, 17th, 2011.

The event was organized by Detroit Telangana Community (DTC), which translated its months of planning and hard work into making the show a tremendous success which was evident by the huge attendance never seen before, around 1000 people over from metro Detroit area, other cities within Michigan. It was exciting to see women folk in traditional and colorful attire, with joyful and cheery children being the centre of attraction.

The festivities were kicked for the day with the lamp lighting by chief guests, renowned Telangana personalities, Goreti Venkanna and 'Maa Bhoomi' Sandhya. It was a great visual treat to see women folk, young and old clad in colorful traditional attires singing and dancing around the beautifully decorated Bathukammas. As the women sang "Bathukamma Bathukamma Uyyaalo" and rhythmically clapped while singing and dancing around pyramid shaped heap of flowers, it was a visual treat to watch the scene. Later women performed the Nimajjanam (immersion) of the Bathukammas in two makeshift pools, by singing "poyi raavamma Gauramma".The most beautifully decorated Bathukammas received prizes. The guests have given away the trophies for the three best Bathukammas.

Later, Bharath Madadi, President of Detroit Telangana Community(DTC) gave a brief overview of DTC activities to preserve and promote Telangana heritage, traditions and culture among all the people in metro detroit area of Michigan State in the USA from past 5 years . He also announced the newly formed organization with Shailendra Sanam as Chairman, Nagender Aytha as President-Elect, Venkat Manthena as Secretary and Raju Brahmandhabheri as Joint Secretary, Bhujanga Rao as Treasurer and Sunil Marri as Joint Treasurer. He finally requested everyone to add value and help the organization grow by becoming members of DTC.

Later the grand gala cultural show was kicked off by songs from Goreti Venkanna and Maa Bhoomi Sandhya. These songs depicting the beauty of the lost rustic life have made the audience nostalgic. There were a series of cultural programs by boys and girls with a good mix of folk, classical and recital of slokas and songs. Trophies were awarded to the participating kids. The anchors for the day, Suvarna Devara and Nagender Aytha have coordinated an impressive cultural show which reflected the rich cultural heritage of Telangana.

The committee members of Detroit Telangana Community have felicitated chief guests Goreti Venkanna and 'Maa Bhoomi' Sandhya with mementoes for their presence and performance. Sumptuous dinner with Telangana dishes was served to all attendees catered by Mirchi Indian cuisine. As all good things have to come to an end, so did the action filled night by recognizing the grand sponsors of the event Kashi Kotha of Broadgate Inc and Dr. Jyothi Nichana of WLC OBGYN. The program went beyond 12:00 AM as the crowd was deeply involved and enjoyed the songs from guest singers.

The event was made possible with the efforts of the committee members and volunteers who have put in time and effort in making the event a great success ' Sridhar Bandaru, Murali Bommanaveni, Venkat Devara, Hari Maroju, Hari Parankusham, Ramgopal Uppula and Thiru Venganti.