The Wellington Telugu Family Cultural Forum (WTCF) hosted a spectacular celebration of Bathukamma and Dusshera on Saturday, 4th October 2025, at the Churton Park School Hall. The event stood as a vibrant expression of Telugu culture, devotion, and unity, drawing an impressive crowd and reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserving its traditions in New Zealand’s capital city.
A Festive Evening of Colours, Culture, and Togetherness
The evening commenced with a cheerful Mix and Mingle session, allowing families and friends to reconnect in a joyous atmosphere. The formal programme began with the traditional Engilipoola Bathukamma invocation, setting a devotional tone that resonated throughout the evening. Children’s dance performances, Bathukamma competitions, and the rhythmic Bathukamma Aata followed — filling the hall with music, colour, and celebration. Women adorned in traditional attire danced gracefully around beautifully arranged floral stacks, capturing the true essence of Telangana’s iconic floral festival that symbolises life, gratitude, and community spirit.
For the first time, dignitaries from the High Commission of India in Wellington graced the occasion, marking a proud moment for the Telugu community. They were joined by EKTA NZ representatives, including Fahim Madiwale and Hutt City Mayoral Candidate Prabha Ravi. Their participation highlighted the growing recognition of the Telugu community’s contributions to New Zealand’s multicultural landscape.
Representatives from the High Commission included Mukesh Giya (Head of Chancery), Kamlesh Kumar (Second Secretary), and Ishant Gulyani (Commercial, Marketing & Information Manager). Their presence brought warmth, encouragement, and a sense of official acknowledgment to the festivities.
The 2025 celebration marked a milestone for WTCF, with over 240 attendees — the highest turnout in its seven-year history. The event featured lively music by DJ Vinit, vibrant photography by Arun from Eventful Images, and a feast of authentic Indian cuisine prepared by Kitchen Mantra (Sudhakar and Amita Galva). Every element contributed to an atmosphere of joy, nostalgia, and shared cultural pride.
In a heartwarming closing ceremony, the High Commission of India recognised several key individuals for their unwavering dedication to promoting Telugu culture in New Zealand. Among them were community leaders and organisers such as Vijay Palleti, Venkat, Pratap Reddy, Anand, Anji, Saideep, Aravind, Ranjeet, Abhijit, Satish, Pavan, Vamsi Perugu, Sai Kiran, Raghu, Goutam, Sagar, Jeevan, Malla Reddy, Murali, Sravan Kumar, Vineet, Vivek, Sunil, and Ravi.Special appreciation was extended to the organisational team, particularly to Vijay Palleti and Pratheek — for their continued commitment to advancing Telugu cultural initiatives in Wellington.
The creative team of Amita Galva, Shabana, Harshita, and Pallavi Palleti earned widespread praise for their stunning décor and stage design. Their colourful and artistic presentation vividly brought the spirit of Dusshera to life, drawing compliments from both dignitaries and attendees alike.
Community organiser Pratheek Talla, known for his involvement in Indian community events across New Zealand, the UK, Australia, and India, played a pivotal role in bringing together dignitaries from the High Commission, EKTA, and other organisations. In his remarks, he reflected on the event’s success as a product of teamwork and family support. Leaders and guests also emphasised the harmony among Telugu-speaking people from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who come together in Wellington as One Telugu Family to celebrate their festivals with pride and unity.
As the evening concluded, the organisers extended heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries, sponsors, volunteers, and participants whose collective efforts made Bathukamma & Dusshera 2025 a resounding success. . -TIN Bureau