Times Square, the world-famous commercial spot and tourist destination in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, was on October 16 witness to a never-seen-before scale of Bathukamma festivities. Hosted by the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), it was a celebration to remember.
It's a matter of pride for all Telugus that a Telugu cultural and religious event was held at a world-famous intersection in the grandest manner. A 20-ft golden Bathukamma made by Lakshmi Devineni(TANA Board Treasurer) and her team was the centre of attraction, with its larger-than-life aura wowing the onlookers. Eric Adams, the 18th borough president of Brooklyn, sent his Representative to hand over a proclamation to the organizers as a sweet gesture.
Anjaiah Chowdary Lavu, the President of the TANA, stated that the credit goes to TANA's former President Jay Talluri and TANA's local leadership from New York and New Jersey. Sirisha Tunuguntla (TANA Cultural Services Coordinator), Vamsi Vasireddy (TANA Regional Representative - New Jersey) and Lakshmi Devineni (TANA Board Treasurer) played a key role in hosting the event successfully.
Jay Talluri and team drew applause for the way they pulled off the stunning event at Times Square, where it's not easy to get permission to hold a public event. TANA past and current leadership Padmasri Mutyala, Kalarani Kakarla, Niranjan Srungavarapu, Sateesh Vemuri, Dr Uma Katiki, Suresh Puttagunta, Srinivas Vuyyuru, Pradeep Kumar Gaddam, Pradeep Kumar Gaddam, Dilip Musunuru, Viswanath Nayunipati, Vidya Garapati, Janardhan Nimmalapudi, Ramakanth Koya, Srinivasa Kukatla, Nagamalleswara Panchumarthi, Sai Bollineni, Sunil Koganti made the event a grand success by making their presence felt.
Jay Talluri, Anjaiah Chowdary, Niranjan and others danced to a film song. Cultural events specific to Dasara and the Bathukamma traditions followed. American citizens who graced the event participated in the cultural fest with enthusiasm and danced to the Bathukamma folk music.
Organizers gave prizes and gifts to those who decked up the Bathukamma event.
