Bathukamma festival celebrated at Meadowvale conservation area in Mississauga (city), Ontario (Province) on September 16th, 2017 gave an impression of a Telangana village air dropped in Canada.
Telangana Development Forum, Canada (TDF, Canada) organized the Annual Bathukamma festival with such a traditional flavor that everyone who participated found awestruck and felt very happy.
The event was celebrated few days before the season begins in Telangana due to the cold weather that starts in Canada very soon.
Telangana tradition reflected throughout the entire day in lush green and pleasant weather alongside the running creek.
The turnout was around 500 and besides Telanganite families turned up in huge numbers, participants also included non Telanganites who were very much impressed with the rich Bathukamma tradition celebrated with lots of enthusiasm.
Women has showcased colorful Bathukammas from attractive flowers, assembled at the venue and celebrated the festivity by using native Telangana clapping, circling and by singing Bathukamma songs.
Grand procession was also held welcoming the women carrying Bathukammas and later immersed Bathukammas in the nearby running creek.
Canned food was donated to local food bank as part of food drive. On this occasion, elders / visiting parents explained the significance of Bathukamma festival in Telangana tradition and life style to young generation.
Event also included sports, various activities for youth & children followed by treating to a delicious Telangana lunch.
Prizes were also distributed to those who brought Bathukammas. Heartfelt vote of thanks was conveyed by below mentioned TDF, Canada leadership to the guests, sponsors, organizers and volunteers for their continuous support since 2005, Foundation committee chairperson Ganta Manik Reddy, Board of Trustees chairperson Jitendhar Garlapati, Board of Trustees vice chairperson Amita Reddy Pinikesi, President Srikanth Neravetla, Vice President Vijayalakshmi Rao Madupu, General Secretary Pawan Kumar Kondam, Joint Secretary Arshad Ghori, Treasurer Mahendar Reddy Keesra, Global affairs in charge Tirupathi Reddy Pinikesi and others.
They also vowed to take this momentum forward in organizing more events that propel the rich and grand Telangana culture and tradition.
Special mention was made by the leadership about the below coordinators without whom the event wouldn’t have taken place.
Coordinators: Padma Ganta, Kavita Moola, Shantha Meda, Amita Reddy Pinikesi, Sridevi Dharmapuri, Soumya Chintalapani, Praveena Khambhampati, Athidhi Punnam, Sravya Reddy Mereddy, Sunitha Neravetla, Rajani Madadi, Vijayalakshmi Rao Madupu, Pramod Dharmapuri & Sheshank Chintalapani. Venkatramana Reddy Meda and Mahesh Madadi along with their team has done commendable job in organizing the food for such a huge turnout.
