TIRUPATI: The annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara has become a platform for the folk artists from across the country to exhibit their skills. The dance and bhajan teams and cultural troupes enthralled the devotees, who thronged the galleries and Mada Streets, with their unique performances under the colourful lights.
This year, artistes from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Pune, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and several parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala gave vibrant performances. Gopika Bhajan Mandali from Bengaluru, Bhakthi group from New Delhi and women teams from Gujarat and Kerala too participated in the fete.
The dharmic and cultural wings of TTD- Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP), Dasa Sahitya, Annamacharya projects and SV College of Music and Dance had streamlined artistes from all over the country and provided them a platform to showcase their talent.
Artistes from Sri Gopika Bhajan Mandali of Bengaluru performed the Garba dance, which is quite popular in Gujarat and West Bengal. Dressed in bright red bandini lehengas, they danced to rhythmic drumbeats even as a cute little girl dressed as ‘Balakrishna’ stood amidst them playing the flute, enacting Sri Krishna Raas Leela.
Artistes of Sri Bhakta Prahalada Bhajan Mandali from Hubli in Karnataka, dressed as Gods and Goddesses presented a scintillating dance Thappeta Gullu, and Dhol troupe from Kolhapur too gave a vibrant performance. Local groups both from Tirumala and Tirupati, and some groups from Telangana mesmerised the devotees with their performances .