The togetherness of Banjara community

The University of Arts and Social Sciences College, Osmania University reverberated with songs and dances at the campus as the Banjara community celebrated the 277th birth anniversary of Santh Sevalal Maharaj. The campus was decorated and people dressed in traditional outfits to celebrate the day.

The lively atmosphere was orgainsed by Ramesh Rathod, State president of Banjara Jagaran Youth Association. There were about 100 participants from different universities who performed traditional and cultural programmes. Speaking at the event, Ramesh said that the Seva Lal Maharaja Jayanthi celebration is conducted to bring the Banjara community together and celebrate the auspicious occasion.

The event started with participants dancing to the drum beats who marched towards the Arts College from the NCC gate. After the participants reached the venue the occasion started with a puja in front of Santh Seva Lalji’s photo. The puja involved digging up of the ground in a rectangular shape, sticks were paced in the ground and ghee was poured over the sticks; next a fire was lit. In the same place churmo prasadam was prepared.

Later, a book titled, ‘Banjaralu and Santh Shri Seva Lal Maharaj’ by Hansavath Nagendra was released. Other traditional rituals like traditional Lambadi songs, traditional dances like kolatam, chindu, yaksha ganam and koya kommu were performed. Following which there was a speech on the History of Sevalal Maharaj.

The lively atmosphere and the celebrations by the Banjara community was a gracious way to express the love for Seva Lal Maharaj. Prominent poet and singer, Goreti Venkanna among others was also part of the celebrations.