In the heart of New Jersey, a vibrant display,
Where flowers and devotion met in grand array.
Bathukamma’s bloom and Dussehra’s grace,
Telugu people gathered in this sacred place.
– Swathi Devineni (New Jersey)
The Mana American Telugu Association (MATA) orchestrated a spectacular Bathukamma and Dasara celebration that left a resounding mark in the hearts of over 2000 attendees hailing from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The event took place at the prestigious Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the majestic 21-foot Bathukamma, meticulously crafted and showcased by the MATA team in grand style. The celebration also featured captivating cultural performances by local dance schools, adding an extra layer of vibrancy to the festivities.
MATA unveiled a brand-new Bathukamma Song, penned and composed by MATA Standing Committee member Sesha Giri Rao, and brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Srinivas Ganagoni, Founder & President, Kiran Duddagi, Executive Director, and logistical support from Dr. Linga Srinivas Rao.
The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome from MATA Founder & President Srinivas Ganagoni, who extended his greetings to the Telugu community. He introduced the Bathukamma & Dasara Celebrations and launched the new MATA song. The talented Sai Veda Vagdevi delighted the audience with her melodious renditions of Bathukamma songs, captivating all with her soulful voice and engaging performance.
The planning and execution of this remarkable event were spearheaded by the dedicated MATA Core Team, which includes Srinivas Ganagoni, Kiran Duddagi, Swathi Atluri, Vijay Bhaskar Kalal, Praveen Guduru, Mahender Narala, Venu Gopal Giri, Ranga Rao, Shirisha Gundapaneni, Venky Musti, Mallik Reddy, Krishna Siddhada, Gopi Vutkuri, Raghu Modupoju, Raghuram Rendeuchintala, Girija Madasi, Deepak Katta, Rakesh Kasturi, Narender Reddy, Mahesh Challuri, and Chaitu Madduri.
The tireless efforts of the Bathukamma preparation committee, comprised of Manjula Ganagoni, Shirisha, Arundati Shakeli, Jyothi Krishna, Radhika Madupoju, Padmini Duddagi, and Lalitha Madisetty, Nitha were instrumental in creating the stunning Bathukammas and ensuring smooth logistics.
The event was graced by MATA PA team members, including Sreedhar Gudala (IVP) and Mallik Rao Bolla (BOD), and honored advisors Venkatesh Mutyala and Damu Gedala, who all contributed to the event’s resounding success.
The venue was abuzz with vendors, both inside and outside the hall, while the Telugu community’s enthusiastic presence was palpable, leaving little room to spare inside the hall.
The overwhelming feedback received from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many commending the flawless execution of the event. The outpouring of support from all corners of the community, along with the impressive turnout of over 2000 participants, made this celebration a resounding success.
For information on future programs and further details, please visit the MATA website at www.mata-us.org.
