Charlotte, NC, Officially Acknowledges Bathukamma Festival

In a significant recognition of Telangana's cultural diversity, Charlotte, North Carolina, has officially acknowledged the Bathukamma festival and declared a Telangana Heritage Week from October 3 to 11. Mayor Vi Alexander Lyles issued a proclamation highlighting Telangana's rich history, which spans nearly 5,000 years and showcases its diverse languages, cultures, and traditions as foundational elements of India’s pluralism and inclusiveness.

According to the proclamation:

“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. In addition, they are a key participant in North Carolina’s progress in the fields of medicine, engineering, politics, legal, culture and tradition, and community welfare; and whereas, Bathukamma Panduga, or The Festival of Life, is a nine-day floral festival of Telangana; the festival is a celebration of the inherent relationship human beings share with the vital elements of earth and water. The festival is filled with seasonal flowers on street corners, women folk dancing with joy and gaiety, and family reunions; and whereas, during the first week of October 2024, the Charlotte Telugu language speaking community of Telangana State of India from across the State of North Carolina and across our great nation will collectively celebrate Bathukamma Panduga: Therefore I, Vi Alexander Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte, do hereby proclaim October 3-11, 2024 as “Bathukamma, a flower festival, and Telangana Heritage Week.”

The Charlotte chapter of the Global Telangana Association (GTA-Charlotte) shared on social media that Mayor Vi Alexander Lyles signed a proclamation celebrating the contributions of the Telugu-speaking community and the cultural richness of Telangana. This isn’t Charlotte’s first acknowledgement of Telugu heritage; in May 2023, the city proclaimed May 28 as Telugu Heritage Day. The proclamation highlighted Telugu as one of the longest-surviving ethnic languages, recognised as a 'Classical Language' by the Indian government.