The theme for the Andhra Pradesh tableau for the Republic Day parade on January 26 next year will be based on Bathukamma, a popular festival in the Telangana region, according to an official release said. The tableau includes arrangement of flowers, girls singing songs, moving around Bathukammas in a circular with clapping their hands. The festival is celebrated during Durgashtami days preceding Dasara in the Telangana.

"The Andhra Pradesh government chose Bathukamma as the theme so that millions in the country will come to know of this beautiful festival which is a celebration of nature and life," the release said.

Bathukamma is celebrated when rural womenfolk are free after sowing and transplanting paddy seedlings. Nature bears a festive look with blooming of several species of flowers. Women collect these flowers and arrange them in rows tapering off as the rows go up. On the top of the arrangement, Gauramma made from turmeric paste is kept.