A spectacle of color and tradition unfolded at Hyderabad’s Saroornagar Stadium on Monday, as hundreds of women, resplendent in their finest traditional attire, danced their way into the Guinness World Records. This carefully choreographed performance was a tribute to ‘Bathukamma,’ the floral goddess, and a testament to Telangana’s rich cultural heritage.
The festivities officially secured two remarkable world records. One was for the most colossal Bathukamma floral arrangement ever created, towering an impressive 63.11 feet high and 11 feet wide, and weighing a staggering seven tonnes. The second record recognized the exceptionally synchronized dance performance by a massive assembly of women, officially numbering 1,354 participants.
The success of this grand event was a collaborative effort, with women from various self-help groups across Hyderabad being mobilized through the joint initiatives of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Despite waiting patiently for five to six hours, their enthusiasm remained undimmed, eagerly anticipating their moment to shine.
However, the day was not without its disappointments. Many eager participants were turned away, unable to join the performance. The strict dress code, which only permitted saris and half-saris, excluded those in churidars. Adding to the frustration, many attendees arrived unaware that participation was limited to pre-selected individuals.
“It seems a rehearsal was held on Sunday, and only those who attended received tokens for the performance. Everyone else was simply turned away,” lamented Rajitha, a resident of Malkajgiri. She added, “We were at the Bathukamma Kunta launch yesterday and had no idea about any rehearsal. Even our group leader was unaware. The coordination for this event was really lacking.”
While a fortunate few gracefully performed around the colossal floral goddess, women who traveled from distant areas like Keesara found themselves waiting outside. An official noted that by 2 p.m., approximately 7,000 women had arrived, though many eventually departed due to the restrictions.
The decision to restrict participation to those who attended the rehearsal was a pragmatic one. Choreographers faced significant challenges in ensuring the large group of performers maintained perfect synchronization. To facilitate this, a select group of leading dancers were positioned at a higher vantage point around the ‘Bathukamma,’ providing crucial cues to the performers below, ensuring the event’s success.
This spectacular event was a key part of the broader ‘Mana Bathukamma’ festivities, collaboratively organized by the Telangana Tourism department and other state departments, running from September 21 to 30. Dignitaries, including Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Danasari Anasuya (popularly known as Seetakka), alongside renowned balladeer Vimalakka, were present to encourage and applaud the enthusiastic performers.