10-day photo exhibition on Bonalu inaugurated
Darulshifa: A 10-day Bonalu photo exhibition in coordination with Lal Darwaza Simhavahini temple committee began at Salarjung Museum on Thursday. BC Commission chairman, B S Ramulu and member, Dr V Krishna Mohan Rao inaugurated the photo exhibition, while the museum director, Dr A Nagender Reddy oversaw the proceedings.
Describing it as the cultural festival of twin cities - Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the dignitaries termed the Bonalu festivities which are now being celebrated with all kinds of support from State government following bifurcation, as the reflection of lifestyles of the people of twin cities.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramulu said that following formation of Telangana as separate State, Bonalu has become a State festival which is laudable development.
Historically, he said that Bonalu has been represented with the wishes of prosperous development hoping good rains and good harvest and seeking blessings of deities towards wellbeing of people from all kinds of epidemics that can spread owing to change in climatic conditions and wishing welfare of all the citizens as part of the festivities. The tradition of distributing food amongst people as part of the festivities reflects tradition and culture, he felt.
The dignitaries also lauded the choice by the organizers regarding pictures on display, which include the feats of Pothuraju, organizing of Ghatams and Rangam amongst others which are lined up for the visitors to witness and feel the mood of celebration.
The pictures of Golconda Sri Jagadamba, Lal Darwaza Simhavahini, Secunderabad's Ujjani Mahankali, Balkampet Yellamma and other pictures of deities from different places from across the twin cities, along with different moments captured for years by photographers are on display. "The festivities which reflect the cultural and traditional grandeur should be known not only to the denizens of the twin cities, but also at global level," they felt.
The Simhavahini temple chairman, Tirupathi Narsing Rao, vice president, K Venkatesh, general secretary, Maruthi Yadav, G Aravind Goud and others oversaw the arrangements.