Batukamma, Dusshera celebrations by TAGC

AURORA, IL – The Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC), the first Telugu association in North America, organized Batukamma/Dusshera celebrations on a grand scale with more than a thousand guests at Gazebo hall, SVS Balaji Temple Aurora, IL on September 24.

The twin festival, celebrated by people of Telangana cutting across religion and caste, is an integral part of the Telangana life and culture and is a symbol of family relationships.

It was held this year with the support of the Telangana State Government Tourism department and the American Telangana Association.

TAGC president-elect Jyothi Chintalapani and women board of directors took the initiative to make this event a grand success with uniqueness, all along maintaining the traditions. The team decided to purchase similar Pochampally silk sarees to celebrate the festival with more enthusiasm what with 125 women wearing matching sarees.

The Gazebo hall and central area were decorated with colorful flowers under the guidance of TAGC decoration committee chair Swetha Janamanchi and volunteers. The hall started filling with colorful and nicely- decorated Batukammas from noon onwards.

The event started with a prayer song and continued with playing Batukamma in the Gazebo hall until 5:30 PM. Well renowned folk singer Shalini came all the way from India to sing and encourage the women. Women played Batukamma with energy and passion till the end of the event and showed the world that they had preserved Indian culture and traditions.

Kids’ participation and involvement was the highlight of the event. At the end of the event, all the Batukammas were taken in a procession with live traditional sannai and dolu musical performers and were immersed in a nearby pond with the help of TAGC men volunteers.

TAGC president Ramachandra Reddy Ade along with Batukamma celebration Chair Mamatha Lankala and board of directors presented the gifts to Batukamma competition winners.