Celebrating ‘Batukamma’ – A festive tribute to life by Telanganites of New Jersey
By Narayana Swamy Venkatayogi
We were all waiting for this day
– September 16th, 2006. This was the day that would provide a
great opportunity for all of us, Telanaganites living in New Jersey, to
reinvent our cultural identity in celebrating our unique festival. TDF
NJ/NY/PA (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) chapters organized the
celebration of ‘Batukamma’ festival and a unique Telanagana picnic in Thompson’s
Park in Monroe, New Jersey from 11AM to 6PM. The weather was not too good
until yesterday, but surprisingly since this morning it turned sunny and the
day was crispy, as though heralding the celebration. Telanganites from all over
the state of New Jersey started trickling in by 11:30AM and atmosphere was
already turning colorful and festive. Kids were playing around, while their
parents were busy in meeting old friends and making new acquaintances. The
ladies brightly dressed in their favorite attires, mostly traditional, brought
with them their colorful ‘Batukammas’. The ‘Batukammas’ were well decorated
with all available flowers of the season and they were placed on a selected
bench in the park. Incense sticks were glowing around the ‘Batukammas’ and
their aromas filled the air.
People arriving were registering
at the registration desk and were assisted with a badge where their names and
their places back home and here in USA. Food was laid down on the benches but
none seemed hungry. Everyone was seen enthusiastically chatting with one
another about the recent developments in the political arena back home and the
future of Telangana state. TDF organizers Madhu Kakulavaram, Murali
Chintalapani, Ravi Dhannapuneni, Surender Maddi and Sudhir Kodati (who
arrived from Ottawa, Canada) were
busily arranging and organizing. Several games were organized for kids and
every kid participated with great excitement. Even for adults games like
musical chairs, running etc were organized and the participation was
tremendous. The winners were announced and prizes were waiting.
Then folks were called for lunch
and being a pot-luck picnic the dishes were innumerous and were extremely
tasty. The dishes had some Telangana delicacies and were delightful for
everyone. Games continued after lunch and through out Telengana songs played in
the boom-boxes and every one was seen humming the songs and some even singing
loud. Every one was waiting for the moment – the moment of celebration. As the
great poet of Telangana, Kaloji said – ‘‘Batukamma’ festival is a celebration
of life’ – every one was enthusiastically waiting for celebrating the colors of
life in a unique way – unique only to Telangana. This celebration is thus a
cultural icon of our Telangana identity.
The celebration had an overwhelming response with more than 50 families
attending from all over the state.
All the ‘Batukammas’ were
arranged in the park in the center, and all the women folk gathered around it
in a circle and started playing. They started singing songs of ‘Batukamma’ –
the ‘uyyala paatalu’ – joining voices with the cassettes and CDs playing in the
boom-boxes. Every one of the women folk participated with great enthusiasm and
festive fervor and one could clearly feel the collective ecstasy in the
gathering. This is one of the greatest moments in the lives of Telanganites
living in New Jersey. Every one
gathered in the park was clearly experiencing the delight and ecstasy of
‘Batukamma’ and the ‘celebration of life’.
After playing for more than hour
the ‘Batukammas’ were brought to a two tubs filled with water, which were props
for lakes back home. The women folk ceremoniously then left into the water and
prayed for the well being of their families. Never the less to say, every one
was also praying for the development of Telangana and its statehood. In every
one’s heart there filled in a strong wish – that Telangana state should be
formed as soon as possible.
After the ‘Batukammas’ were laid
to rest in water, the prize distribution ceremony was held where all the
winners were given away their prizes. Dr. Chandra Reddy Gavva, the
President-Elect of ATA (American Telugu Association) joined the celebration
along with Dr Pailla Malla Reddy and Rajender Jinna. Dr Chandra Reddy Gavva as
the guest of honor presented the prizes. The prizes were also announced for
best ‘Batukammas’. Then the guests on the occasion were introduced and invited
to speak. Other prominent telanganites at the picnic were: Dr Pratap Reddy,
Sudhakar Perkari, Indrasena Reddy, Laxma Kolla, Jaideep, Ravu Pusukur.
Everyone expressed their
heartfelt feeling that such gatherings and celebrations were very much
necessary for all of us. These would instill a feeling of collectivity and
affirmative identity amongst us, Telanganites. The TDF pledged that it would
strive for building such a collective identity by arranging such gatherings and
celebrating ‘Batukamma’ every year with much more vigor and enthusiasm. TDF
thanked Jamuna Pusukuru for taking initiative and making it successful.
Photos can be see from this Yahoo
photos link: