Charlotte Recognizes Telangana's Bathukamma Festival and Proclaims Telangana Heritage Week

In a significant nod to Telangana's rich cultural heritage, the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, has officially recognized and embraced the state's vibrant festival, Bathukamma. The city will celebrate this nine-day floral festival from October 3 to 11, alongside the declaration of a Telangana Heritage Week.

Charlotte's Mayor, Vi Alexander Lyles, issued a formal proclamation acknowledging Telangana's status as a cultural melting pot in India. The proclamation highlighted that Telangana, with its 5,000-year-old history, has long been a symbol of India's pluralism and inclusivity, showcasing a wide array of art, tradition, and religious diversity.

The mayor also praised the Telugu-speaking community's contributions to Charlotte's cultural diversity and North Carolina's medical, engineering, politics, and law development. The proclamation noted that the Telugu community from Telangana has played a crucial role in enriching the social and cultural fabric of the region.

Bathukamma, meaning "The Festival of Life," celebrates the deep connection between humanity and nature, particularly the elements of earth and water. The festival is marked by vibrant street corners filled with seasonal flowers, traditional folk dances by women, and family gatherings.

The mayor's proclamation reads: "Whereas, the contribution of the Telugu language speaking community towards the vibrancy and vitality of the city of Charlotte and North Carolina has become significant throughout its various organizations and events… the Charlotte Telugu speaking community from Telangana State of India has enriched Charlotte's cultural diversity… Therefore, I, Vi Alexander Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte, do at this moment proclaim October 3-11, 2024, as 'Bathukamma, a flower festival, and Telangana Heritage Week.'"

The Global Telangana Association (GTA-Charlotte) shared the proclamation on social media, celebrating the recognition of the Telugu community's role in bringing cultural vibrancy to the region.

This is not the first time Charlotte has honored the Telugu-speaking community. In May 2023, the city declared May 28 as Telugu Heritage Day, with the mayor acknowledging Telugu as one of India's six classical languages, tracing its roots back to the 10th century BCE.

The recognition of Bathukamma and Telangana Heritage Week further strengthens the bond between Charlotte and its diverse immigrant communities, highlighting its commitment to celebrating multiculturalism.