Bathukamma, the floral festival of Telangana went global on Saturday as the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa was lit up in colours depicting the festival.
Located in Dubai, Burj Khalifa witnessed a unique show of lights.
The visual feast was attributed to the efforts of Nizamabad MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha who led Telangana Jagruthi to showcase the states' Bathukamma culture and take the festival celebrations global by featuring its depiction on the worlds' largest screen.
Ms Kavitha, who is the former Member of Parliament and daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, leads Telangana Jagruthi, a cultural and literary organization that was formed during the statehood movement for Telangana in India and has been working to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of Telangana.
Ms Kavitha took to Twitter to share glimpses of the show with netizens.
Please join me in witnessing Bathukamma screening at Burj Khalifa, Dubai https://t.co/jCRTNokdtI
— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) October 23, 2021This year's Bathukamma edition of Telangana Jagruthi was quite unique. The organization launched a Bathukamma song "Allipoola Vennela", which is already a superhit this festive season, composed by music maestro AR Rahman, directed by ace Indian director Gautham Vasudev Menon and brought to life by a talented team of artists.
The show of lights was live across various platforms around the globe at 9:30 pm IST. Telangana Jagruthi made arrangements to play the Bathukamma documentary on the big screen for invited delegates and separately for the local people.
The screening featured the maps of India and Telangana, Chief Minister Rao, Bathukamma flowers, with "Alipoola Vennela" playing in the background.
AdvertisementThe slogans of "Jai Hind" and "Jai Telangana" on the Burj screen echoed with tears of joy and pride among the viewers.
The event was attended by Ms Kavitha along with esteemed dignitaries from UAE and India.
AdvertisementMP Suresh Reddy, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) Chairman and MLA Bajireddy Goverdhan, PUC Chairman and MLA Jeevan Reddy, and MLAs Shakeel, Ganesh Gupta and Dr Sanjay were joined by Ms Kavitha who witnessed the historical moment. The screening was also attended by several dignitaries from UAE.
Bathukamma celebrations are held throughout the ten days of Dussehra. Bathukamma means ''Goddess of Life''. Women decorate a special pot with seasonal flowers, fill the pot with offerings to the Goddess, and go on a procession in the village.
