The joyous spirit of Ugadi, which marks the Telugu and Kannada new year, has caught on in the city as members of the communities come together to celebrate the festival.
While families are taking time from work to welcome the new year ‘ Manmadha nama samvatsaram ’ on Saturday, several associations have been busy arranging for ‘ Vedukalu’ (Ugadi festivities). Many families now purchase the delicacies except for the main delicacy ‘ Ugadi pachadi .’
S. Kiran, a resident of Perambur, said: “I am planning to make a few delicacies at home and visit friends. I may go for a cultural programme organised by a Telugu association.”
While some associations like Sri Kalasudha Telugu Association honour stalwarts in different fields around the festival time, there are others who have been holding cultural programmes and distributing delicacies to their members since last week.
B. Nagesh, president, Indian Telugu Association, said: “We distributed signature sweets from Andhra Pradesh — Pootharekulu from Rajahmundry and Kakinada Khaja. A devotional website was also launched.”
Members of World Telugu Federation (WTF) see such festivals as an opportunity to popularise the Telugu language and traditions among children.
Besides conducting free Telugu language classes, the federation has been hosting quizzes on Ugadi in schools.
On Friday, members came together to listen to Panchaka Sravanam , honour women achievers and also savour Ugadi delicacies.
Srilakshmi Mohan Rao, WTF secretary, said: “Many households now buy sweets from shops. But pachadi, made with neem flower among other ingredients, is still being made at home.”
