Page 4600 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 31 October 2018
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India’s high Deccan Plateau, October marks the end of the monsoon and the transition to winter. Similar to Canberra however, it is a time when flowers bloom in a riot of colours across the uncultivated and barren plains of the region. This is also the time of year when Bathukamma, an important symbol of Telangana culture and identity, is celebrated.
Two weeks ago the ACT Telangana Association hosted this floral festival in the Belconnen Arts Centre in my electorate and yours, Madam Deputy Speaker, of Ginninderra. I rise today to publicly thank Mr Shanti Reddy, president of the ACT Telangana Association, for generously inviting me to attend.
Bathukamma is specifically observed by Telangana women. The centrepiece of the event quite literally is a large arrangement of seasonal flowers placed on a large plate in seven concentric circles, similar in appearance to the towers that mark the entrances to Hindu temples in southern India. Arranging these flowers is a folk art that is passed down from older to younger women. Females of all ages then form a circle around the floral arrangement, dancing and singing folk songs. In the Telugu language, Bathukamma means mother goddess come alive, and the songs and dances bring honour to Maha Gauri Devi, the patron goddess of womanhood.
The colours, the songs and the rhythmic movement all blended together into a beautiful whole. It was joyful to watch, and far too joyful not to join in. I wanted deeply to share the joy with these strong, lovely women and girls. So I joined the circle and danced with them, and what a pleasure it was.
I congratulate Mr Reddy and his team for this successful event and I also want to thank the entire association for allowing me to spend a few moments in their world of colour and beauty and confident womanhood.
Further north in Bangladesh the end of the monsoon marks the advent of another festival, the Durga Puja. Durga is a protective mother goddess who, like many mothers whom we might know, is willing to aggressively protect her vulnerable children from anything that might harm them. The worship of Durga commemorates the victory of good over evil. It also serves, in part, as a harvest festival celebrating and elevating the role of woman as the power behind life and creation.
This year Canberra’s Bangladesh Australia Association observed Durga Puja at Duffy Primary School on 13 October, and the Bangladeshi Hindu community held their celebration one week later at the beautiful Hindu temple and cultural centre in Florey.
I likewise rise today to publicly thank Mr Prasonjit Dastidar, secretary of the Bangladesh Australia Puja Association of Canberra, and association president, Dr Ashis Dey, as well as Avijit Sircar, convenor of the Canberra Sanatani Sangha, for honouring me with invitations to these two sacred events.
I took my daughter and her friend with me to the first one, and the three of us greatly enjoyed the cultural performances and the delicious food that was provided to us. In both cases I found the experience deeply spiritual and my life has been made richer by participating. I especially enjoyed simply spending time with my Bangladeshi
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