Poturaju during Bonalu is the most attractive character that everyone looks up to. It is synonymous with the Bonalu Festivities. Donning colourful paint and armed with a whip, portraying a fierce demeanour, and vermilion on his forehead, he is the figure that no one can miss.

Humans of Hyderabad tried to capture behind the scenes of Potharaju while they were getting ready for the procession, prioritising the culture of Hyderabad in the Telangana region.

Potharajus are in great demand during the Bonalu festivities and people from different localities invite them. Moving away from tradition, the modern-day Potharaju uses paint to colour themselves to look bright with precautions.

Each makeup costs around Rs 6,000 to Rs 20,000.
During the season, Pothuraju spends close to Rs 50,000 for makeup for the whole month. Garlands, lemons, neem leaves, fruits, flowers and other offerings add on to the expenses.

“It’s been more than 15 years since I have been donning the ‘Pothuraju’ role in Lal Darwaza and Golconda Bonalu with a lot of devotion,” says the person getting ready for the Pothuraju character.
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