Telangana's 'Bathukamma' festival to go global

A Telangana cultural organisation is planning to celebrate the state's 'Bathukamma' floral festival in over 25 countries next year.

"Since there was not much time this year, we could not spread the message and importance of the festival outside. Next year we plan to do it in more than 25 countries as the present government has taken up the celebrations of this event as a state festival," Telangana Jagruthi promoter and Nizamabad MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha told reporters here today.

Bathukamma, a prominent festival prior to Dussehra, is a historic celebration highlighting the importance of women in society. It represents the cultural spirit of the state and is celebrated by performing puja of Goddess Gauri.

The TRS government, led by K Chandrasekhar Rao, has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the festival celebrations all over the state.

Kavitha said Telangana Jagruthi has taken up revival of Telangana culture for the past seven years, as per the aspirations of people of the new-born state.

Replying to a query, she said her organisation will take up the issues that would preserve the traditional art forms, such as 'Nirmal Toys'.

According to her, currently the wood used to make such toys is taxable, besides some restrictions on cutting the timber. These kind of 'obstacles' need to be done away with for the promotion of Telangana culture, she said.

The previous (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh) government washed off its hands by just declaring Bathukamma as a state festival but did nothing to promote it, the MP alleged.