In a jubilant celebration of the traditional Sankranthi festival, the Queensland Telugu Association (QTA) marked a momentous occasion by organising the event for the Telugu community in Brisbane. Breaking a 15-year hiatus, the QTA committee for the term 2023-24 orchestrated a spectacular Sankranthi festival on January 14, 2024, bringing the Brisbane Telugu community together in a celebration of cultural heritage.
The Sankranthi festival, aptly titled “సంక్రాంతి అనగా నూతన క్రాంతి” (Sankranthi as a New Beginning), saw an overwhelming turnout and enthusiastic participation from members of all ages. The festival not only marked a revival of cultural festivities but also created cherished memories for everyone involved.
Expressing gratitude to the attendees, the QTA organising committee extended a warm thanks to the community for their extraordinary support and enthusiasm. The event was a testament to the collective effort and dedication of the community members.
The festival showcased various traditional rituals and activities, with special recognition given to the mothers who blessed the little ones with Bhogipallu. Durgambika Gandham, Sravani Gudibanda, and Vimala Punugu were acknowledged for organising Bhogipallu, creating a nostalgic connection to the cultural roots.
Gobbillu, an integral part of Sankranthi tradition, was celebrated with fervour, thanks to the efforts of Sri Padma Priya Nori and Lakshmi Chintalapati. The participation of young girls and women added an extra layer of energy to the celebration, emphasising the importance of cultural continuity.
The Muggula Poteelu competition, coordinated by Surekha Gadamsetty and Geetha Mikkilineni, showcased the artistic skills of the participants. Sunitha Erusu sponsored sarees as prizes, and the judging panel comprised Renuka Bodapati, Kanthamani Vytla, and Indira Prasadam. The winners were announced with much applause and appreciation.
The festival also featured a Best Traditional Attire competition for couples, sponsored by Srikar Reddy Andem. Judges Sujatha Junnuri and Shyamala Cholluri awarded the prizes to the deserving winners, Shilpa and Sudhakar Anuga, and runners-up Lavanya and Hari Panchumarthi.
QTA expressed gratitude to sponsors, including Alchemy Events, Singh Travel Australia, and many others who generously contributed to the success of the event through food and financial donations. The organisation also acknowledged the support of volunteers and the Brisbane Bullodu Team, without whom the event wouldn’t have been possible.
Special recognition was given to Sunitha and Ramesh Erusu for their beautiful stage decoration, UQTELS team for organising kites and games for kids, Sudha Shankar and Sreelakshmi for their mesmerising vayanam performance, and Hema Kumar and Akash Racha for capturing the event through their photography.
The committee encouraged feedback and suggestions from the community for future activities, promising continuous improvement. Apologising for any unintentional mistakes during and after the event, QTA emphasised that the success of the Sankranthi festival was a result of the community coming together like family.
In a final note, the QTA committee highlighted the association as more than just an organisation but a home away from home, where cultural roots thrive, and friendships blossom. They invited the community to support cultural endeavours and events by becoming QTA members, offering exclusive access to various benefits.
To join or renew QTA membership, interested individuals can fill out the Membership Form available on the QTA website. Choosing a membership type and following the provided payment instructions make the process quick and easy.
As the festival echoes in the hearts of the Telugu community, the Queensland Telugu Association looks forward to many more successful cultural celebrations, uniting the community in joyous festivities.
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Queensland Telugu Association (QTA) joyously revives #Sankranthi festival in #Brisbane after a 15-year hiatus, bringing #Telugu community together for cultural celebrations. 🪁🎉🕉 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/ygfM1zlUaA
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) January 31, 2024
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