Bathukamma , Telangana ’s floral festival , is celebrated with music, dance, and devotion. Over the past eight years, singer Mangli has become one of its most recognisable voices, her songs echoing across gatherings in Telangana and beyond. Though hailing from a Banjara family in Gooty, Anantapur, Mangli has embraced Bathukamma with enthusiasm and devotion. “Bathukamma is more than just a festival; it’s a joyful celebration of life filled with music and dance,” she says. In a conversation with us, Mangli reflects on her connection to the festival, its bond with nature, and why it continues to inspire her music.

From celebrating womanhood and devotion to crafting songs that echo the festival’s spirit, singer Mangli shares why Bathukamma holds a special place in her hear

‘Bathukamma is a joyful celebration of life’
Bathukamma is more than just a festival for me; it’s a joyful celebration of life filled with music and dance. It holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to it every year. The rituals — decorating with flowers, applying vermilion, and praying to Goddess Gauramma — are something I follow with devotion. Like any other festival, I also relish traditional dishes such as Kobbari Pulihora and Daddojanam.

‘Every Bathukamma song is a tribute to womanhood’
Over the past eight years, I have sung many Bathukamma songs, each crafted with love and admiration for the festival. Every composition is close to my heart because it celebrates womanhood, nature, and devotion. For me, singing during Bathukamma is not just about performance but about cherishing feminine energy and the community that gathers around it.

‘Festivals are also about identity and pride’
Festivals like Bathukamma are the perfect occasion to dress up and embrace who I am. I love adorning myself in half sarees and sarees, as they make me feel confident and proud of my culture. Beyond rituals, the festival is an annual reminder to come together, revive our spirits, and celebrate our shared heritage.

"Bathukamma is a festival that celebrates Mother Nature. The flowers we use are believed to carry medicinal properties, and their presence in water is said to purify it. Our traditions are designed in ways that bring us closer to nature while honouring culture."

- Divya Shree