Hyderabad: The grand carnival at Tank Bund, commemorating the Telangana decennial celebrations, served as the perfect platform to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage here on Sunday.
The festivities featured a vibrant display of traditional arts, music, and dance, a razzmatazz that drew wholesome praise from all and sundry.
Governor C.P. Radhakrishna, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Cabinet ministers, MLAs, prominent leaders and Telangana activists enthusiastically participated in the cultural programmes.
The celebrations began with a massive public carnival, stretching from the Tank Bund’s entry point to the Rotary Park.
The gathering was captivated by the traditional music and folk song renditions and cultural activities by hundreds of performers and artists. The state’s diversity was to the fore.
Artists performing uggu dolu, gussadi, dhimsa, Lambada, Chenchu and Bhaingla, among others, were in the spotlight. Also on show were art forms and festivities that are unique to the region, including Bonalu, Bathukamma and Ghatam.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award winner Perini Rajkumar, who organised the cultural activities, told Deccan Chronicle “The government left no stone unturned when it came to parading the cultures of Telangana..”
The GHMC put up 88 stalls from various departments like handicrafts and rural development, besides popular eateries. Medical camps and ambulances were in place, while shuttle services ferried people when it started raining.
People could see the events taking place on the dais on the big LED screens that were installed at various points. The sudden downpour sent people rushing to stalls and canopies for cover, but they remained glued to the big screens to catch the action.
Suresh (name changed), a glass factory worker from Jeedimetla, who came with his wife and two kids, took shelter under an already cramped tree. He said, "We didn't know it was going to rain in the evening. I thought an outing would be nice. But rain ruined everything."
A GHMC official, who rushed to a stall when it started raining heavily, said, "It was supposed to go on till 11 pm but had to be wrapped up by 8 pm." He did not respond when asked why the corporation had not made any arrangements when there was a forecast of rains.
"We have never seen anything like this in 10 years," said Sunitha, a resident of Secunderabad, who had come to see the fireworks with her husband and seven-year-old son. "We don't get to see rural handicrafts and folk dances in Hyderabad. On that front, this event was a success," she added.
Bai Reddy, a resident of Malkajgiri, said, "Although I appreciate what this government has done, I'm a strong BRS supporter. I would have liked to see KCR on the dais," he said. His 15-year-old daughter said that she wished to see more lively events in the future.
The fireworks display was a spectacle that everyone enjoyed. At the conclusion of the programme, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy came out of his convoy and waved to the people.
