Celebrating Telangana identity

Every year, for several decades now, women from the Telangana region have been waiting for the rains to cease and give way to brighter mornings draped in the many shades of freshly-blossomed flowers. This transition that ushers in a welcome seasonal change has always been an event of jubilation for the womenfolk as it marked the advent of the nine-day 'Bathukamma Panduga' (festival), which interestingly coincides with the Navratri celebrations in other parts of the country.
The sentiments this year aren't any different, though an enhanced sense of belonging with this festival of flowers, which many define as a "reflection and articulation of women's perceptions", is hard to miss among the people of Telangana. Courtesy, the TRS-led government's decision to bestow upon Bathukamma the 'state festival' status.
"It is indeed a welcome move," said E Revathi, professor at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, offering her analysis of the festival that she feels "signifies life, society and even the economy of the new state". "Bathukamma has been a part of the Telangana movement and, therefore, it needs to be showcased. I see no harm in the government extending its patronage to it," she added.
Several others shared similar views. Stressing on Bathukamma being an integral part of Telangana culture, observers said how, post the division of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, it was necessary for the new state to uphold its individual identity more prominently through festivities like these that were unique to this geographical landscape.
"Bathukamma is not a religious but an environmental festival revolving around three critical things: water, women and nature. It upholds the aesthetic finesse of women who arrange the seasonal flowers in a conical shape and later immerse it in water (bund of a tank). Many of the flowers used are believed to be water purifiers," said eminent photojournalist G Bharath Bhushan, explaining the essence of Bathukamma, which he said, hit a low about a decade ago when plastic replaced real flowers in several areas and diluted the significance of the occasion. "That was because of poor rainfall that led to a dearth in flowers," Bhushan added.
But while honouring the festival with a new tag has been lauded by one and all, the extravagant budget allocated for celebrating Bathukamma this year has not gone down well with the people. Incidentally, Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP K Kavitha has announced an allocation of Rs 10 crore for the festivities.
"I don't think Bathukamma ever died for it to be revived post bifurcation. Even in undivided Andhra Pradesh, it was an integral part of the Telangana culture and we celebrated it with as much fervour as we would do now," argued sociologist Nandini Prasad, adding: Politicizing the festival will not heighten its sanctity."
While Bhushan called for the funds to be instead "diverted for improving drinking water facilities in rural Telangana," political scientist Kancha Ilaiah termed the move as solely aimed at "encashing on the sentimental dimensions of festival and culture to mobilize masses". "At a time when there have been 200 farmer deaths in the state, I wonder how the government can go ahead and earmark such a huge budget for festivities," rued Ilaiah. Further condemning the extravagancy, he said: "They (the government) want to give us festivals but not computers and cars. How are such celebrations going to bring any development or education to the people of Telangana?"