Date:27/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/27/stories/2008012750220200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Colours of nationalism

Staff Reporter

—Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

’Bharat Matha’ being taken out in a procession in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Motorists passing by KRM Colony junction at Seethammadhara were curious to find people worshipping a big idol of a goddess on Saturday morning. Many wondered as to who the deity was, as it was not a festival day.

Enquires with the local people revealed that is was ‘Bharatamba Parasa’. In other words, it was being performed to honour Mother India on the occasion of Republic Day.

Earlier, the idol was taken out in a procession on the streets of Seethammadhara to enable people to have Her darshan. Later, it was installed at the junction and pujas were offered to the deity. After the puja, ‘prasadam’ was distributed among the visitors.

Folk arts

A few years ago, the elders of 11 villages around Seethammadhara decided to worship ‘Bhudevi’ (Mother Earth) and show their patriotism towards Her. They wanted to do it differently from the routine of just hoisting of the national flag and distributing chocolates. They decided to hold games for children, encourage folk arts and hold competitions in singing patriotic songs.

After the puja, the national tricolour was unfurled. Rangoli competitions, musical chairs and ‘lemon and spoon’ events were held. Later in the afternoon, a ‘parasa’ (village fair) was held. Traditional folk artistes performed ‘Puli veshalu’ (tiger dance), ‘Tappetagullu’ and ‘Garadi’ on the streets to the amusement of the city folk. In the evening, a meeting was held and the winners in various competitions were given prizes.