The Wellington Telugu Family Cultural Forum (WTCF) hosted a grand celebration of Bathukamma and Dusshera Festival 2025 on Saturday, October 4, at Churton Park School Hall, bringing together more than 240 attendees for an evening filled with cultural vibrancy, tradition, and unity. The event showcased the essence of Telugu heritage, creating a memorable experience for families and community members in the capital city.
The celebration began with a lively Mix & Mingle session, allowing families and friends to reconnect before the formal proceedings commenced. The traditional Engilipoola Bathukamma invocation set the tone for the evening, followed by engaging children’s dance performances, Bathukamma competitions, and the much-loved Bathukamma Aata.
Women and families joyfully danced around the beautifully arranged floral stacks, symbolising devotion, harmony, and the true spirit of Telangana’s floral festival.
This year’s celebration gained special significance as dignitaries from the High Commission of India in Wellington attended the event for the first time. The guests included Mukesh Giya (Head of Chancery), Kamlesh Kumar (Second Secretary), and Ishant Gulyani (Commercial, Marketing & Information Manager).
Their presence, along with representatives from EKTA NZ, Fahim Madiwale and Prabha Ravi, Hutt City Mayoral Candidate, added prestige and warmth to the gathering, reflecting growing recognition of the Telugu community’s cultural contribution to New Zealand society.
The evening was further enlivened by music from DJ Vinit, photography by Arun of Eventful Images, and a sumptuous Indian dinner prepared by Kitchen Mantra, managed by Sudhakar and Amita Galva.
In a special segment, dignitaries from the High Commission of India felicitated several members of the Wellington Telugu community, including senior representatives and organisers such as Vijay Palleti, Venkat, Pratap Reddy, Anand, Anji, and other core team members, Saideep, Aravind, Ranjeet, Abhijit, Satish, Pavan, Vamsi Perugu, Sai Kiran, Raghu, Goutam, Sagar, Jeevan, Malla Reddy, Murali, Sravan Kumar, Vineet, Vivek, Sunil, and Ravi, for their outstanding commitment to promoting Telugu culture in New Zealand.
The decorative setup by Amita Galva, Harshita, and Divya earned special praise for creatively transforming the venue into a colourful and festive setting.
One of the key organisers, Pratheek Talla, who played a central role in bringing together dignitaries and organisations, expressed gratitude for the collective effort behind the success. “This event reflects the power of teamwork, cultural pride, and family support. Success is nothing but a by-product of hard work and dedication,” he said.
Talla also fondly remembered the late Sai Swethan, one of WTCF’s founding members, whose contributions continue to inspire the Telugu community in Wellington. He, along with organisers such as Aravind Aredla, Pratap Reddy, Vijay Palleti, and Arun Tukki, reiterated the importance of unity and cultural preservation among Telugu-speaking people.
The festival concluded on a high note, with attendees highlighting the harmony shared between people from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, reinforcing the spirit of “One Telugu Family.”
The organisers extended heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters who contributed to making Bathukamma and Dusshera 2025 the most successful celebration in WTCF’s history. The event once again demonstrated how Wellington’s Telugu community continues to keep cultural traditions alive — celebrating identity, togetherness, and the vibrant heritage of India on New Zealand soil.
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