A festive atmosphere prevailed at ‘Bharata Mata Kudali’, the five-road junction at Nakkavanipalem, aptly named by the organisers of ‘Bharatamba Parasa’ to perpetuate patriotic fervour among the citizens.
The celebrations were akin to a village fair with stalls selling dolls, fancy items, flutes, and sugarcane. Rural cultural troupes presented folk dances such as ‘tappetagullu’, ‘puliveshalu’, ‘chakka bhajana’, ‘dappu’.
The celebrations began nine years ago on the Republic Day and were being held every year without a break since then.
The celebrations begin early in the day and continue till late in the night.
A bronze statue of ‘Bharata Mata’ is taken around the streets of Nakkavanipalem, Chaitanya Nagar, and KRM Colony, before it is placed beside a make-shift stage erected at the junction for people to offer prayers. Rangoli, singing, and dance competitions are held to create enthusiasm among youths.
“I thought that Republic Day should be something more than hoisting of the national flag and distribution of sweets. I wanted it to be a daylong celebration, and since ‘Bharata Mata’ is revered as a goddess, I thought holding a ‘parasa’ (village fair) would give the desired result,” says K. Viswanath, a professor in Andhra University.
“During the first two years, we took an eight-foot plaster of Paris statue of ‘Bharata Mata’ around the streets. The colours on the statue started fading and we got a bronze statue prepared for use every year.”
“The organisation named the annual event ‘Bharatamba Parasa’, as it is easy to pronounce and also reflects the festive mood associated with village fairs. Our organisation does not have any political affiliation, but elected people’s representatives are invited,” Prof. Viswanath told The Hindu .
“This year we have performed ‘bhoomi puja’ for installation of a permanent sculpture of ‘Bharata Mata’,” organising secretary D.V.S. Prasada Reddy said.
The installation of the statue is expected to be completed by August 15 this year.
MP K. Haribabu, MLAs — P. Vishnu Kumar Raju and Palla Srinivasa Rao — and industrialist P.S.R. Raju were among those who participated as guests this year.
Organisers of ‘Bharatamba Parasa’ take pride in taking the Republic Day celebrations beyond hoisting of the national tricolour and distribution of sweets
