The above pictures and the smiles in them speak of the devotion and
happiness that Bathukamma Panduga; the nine days festival brings about in our
family and similarly in many families of Telangana. It is one of the many
unique festivals of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. It is an exclusively
all women and girls festival. The men and boys get to hear and enjoy Bathukamma
songs, daily prasadams and festive meals. Nowadays; it is celebrated not only
in Telangana region but all over the country and world over, wherever there are
families of Telangana origin.
Bathuku means Life and Amma means Mother and this is the festival
of the ‘Life-giver/protector’ Goddess Gauramma. Bathukamma is prayed in the
form of a conical flower arrangement and small cones made of turmeric paste as
you can see in the above photographs. Bathukamma festival starts on Mahalaya
Amavasya also called Pethra Amaasa. Starting from this day every evening for
nine days women arrange flowers of different colors on a plate in a conical
manner and move around this floral Bathukamma in a circle and in unison,
synchronizing body movements, steps, claps and sing Bathukamma folk songs.
After the lead singer renders a short verse, the entire group around the Poola
Bathukamma repeats it in a chorus, dancing and clapping to the rhythm. Some of
these songs are made up instantaneously on their family members and family
history. This goes on for some time every evening until everyone gets chances
to sing Bathukamma Patalu (Songs). For eight days Bathukamma is normally made
of a smaller size and after singing and dancing around, Bathukamma is left in a
water tank in the house and if convenient in a nearby lake or river. On the
ninth day, the last day of the festival which is on Ashweeyuja Shukla Ashtami a
very large Bathukamma is made as per ones interest. This day is called as
Saddula Bathukamma. On this day the women and girls put on the best of silks
and jewellery and play Bathukamma for much longer time. Not only do they play
at home and in front of their house along with neighbors but also at the
nearest lake or river bed along with many other women who come there with their
Bathukammas. After this, Bathukamma is bid farewell and left in the water to
float away. For eight days the prasadam is made of Beaten rice with Sugar and
Putnala pappu (Roasted Indian Black Chickpeas with hulls removed and split) and
on the ninth day it is Maleedha, Pulihora and Dhaddhojanam. This year’s
Bathukamma festivities started on 18th September and Saddula Bathukamma is on
coming Saturday, 26th September.
An identical event called Boddemma festival precedes Bathukmma festival.
Boddemma festival which is also of nine days is also to pray and honor Goddess
Gauramma. The festival starts on Bhadrapada Bahula Panchami and ends on
Chaturdashi. Boddemma is prayed during these nine days by making a five step
conical platform with red mud and of about six inches height. Holes are
provided on each step into which flowers are inserted. At the top of Boddemma,
Gauramma made from Turmeric paste in the form of a cone is placed. And every
evening prayer is offered to Boddemma by singing Boddemma and Bathukamma songs
and dancing as in the case Bathukamma festival and prasadam distributed. On the
ninth day that is Chaturdashi, Boddemma is left on the banks of any water
source. The Naivedhayam and Prasadam on this day is Jaggery Kudumulu. This
year’s Boddemma festival was celebrated between 9th September and 17th
September.
P.S. You may read more ‘Photo and Video’-articles by me on
Bathukamma Festival by clicking on the following links:
aww i sooo remember//// !!
ReplyDeleteDear Raghu Garu
ReplyDeleteIt's great to read this column. Thanks & best regards
apparao