Congressman Bill Foster graced ATA Bathukamma Sambaralu

Illinois, October 9th: American Telugu Association (ATA) Chicago team celebrated Bathukamma Sambaraalu at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Aurora, Illinois, with over 350 people in attendance. Bathukamma event is graciously opened by Guest of Honor, Congressman Bill Foster from Illinois 11th District. Congressman Foster kickstarted the event with lighting of Lamp. Congressman acknowledged the contributions of over one million Telugu speaking Indian Americans currently living in US.

Hanumanth Reddy, ATA founding member, felicitated Congressman Foster. ATA members explained significance of Bathukamma festival. This is a unique festival celebrated in respecting and praying to flower arrangements during Devi Navratri season. His staff members participated in Bathukamma aata. Women and girls in vibrant Telugu traditional attire participated in Bathukamma dance for over four hours. Special kolatam dance was performed by Saritha Reddy Nandyala’s team. Maharashtra Rudra Garjana and Chicago Chenda group playing traditional drums to respect Bathukammas during nimasjanam was the special attraction cheered by the participants. Special Telangana snacks and delicious lunch was served at the event.

This event was organized under the guidance of Bhuvanesh Bojala (President, ATA) and Madhu Bommimemi (President elect, ATA). Event was successfully planned and executed under leadership of Dr Meher Medavaram (Board of Trustee ATA), Sainath Boyapalli (Treasurer ATA), Maheedhar Reddy Muskula (Office Coordinator ATA), Chalma Reddy Bandaru, Venkat Thudi, Suchitra Reddy(RC) , RV Reddy(RC) , Mahipal Reddy Vancha, Karunkar Doddam, Amar Nettam, Ramana Abbaraju, Satish Yellamilli, Bhanu Swargam, Narasimha Chittaluri, Jagan Bukkaraju, Vishwanath Chitra, Hari Raini, Bheem Reddy, Ven Reddy(RC) and ATA family members.Special thanks to Padma Muskula, Deepthi Vancha, Harathi Thudi, Nandini Bukkaraju, Tulasi RV Reddy, and Vaishali Ravi for coordinating making of the huge 4 feet Bathukamma on 26 inch Thambalam. ATA team thanked all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community supporters for making this event successful.