More than 1,000 people gathered at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia, on Nov. 4 for Sankara Nethralaya USA’s Year-End Grand Finale, Music & Dance for Vision 2026. Starting at 3 p.m., the program brought together 29 music and dance academies from across Metro Atlanta in support of the organization’s Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU) and its work to address preventable blindness in rural India. Chapter Vice President Venky Neelam and President Bala Reddy Indurti welcomed the audience. Shilpa Uppuluri and Aishwarya Sridharan served as masters of ceremonies.
After the U.S. and Indian national anthems, the 29 academies presented classical and semi-classical music and dance, with performances drawing on mythological narratives, devotional themes and folk traditions. Organizers described the presentation as a historic, one-of-a-kind cultural program in Sankara Nethralaya USA’s 38-year history. Performers received commemorative medals on stage, and their gurus were presented with shawls and flower bouquets.
During Bala Reddy Indurti’s eight years as president, Sankara Nethralaya USA expanded from seven to 30 cities. Its MESU program grew from two operating units to five, with four more underway. The concert also recognized contributors and chapter leaders. Padma Bhushan Dr. Jagdish Sheth was honored as a Pillar of the Indian American Community, and Shankar Subramonian received the Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Humanitarian Award. Dr. Shankar Krishnan of the ARSR Foundation was recognized as the all-time highest contributor to MESU camps. Vamsi Rasamallu of the San Antonio team received the Best Debut Chapter Award for the team’s inaugural awareness event. SNUSA Cultural Chair Neelima Gaddamanugu received the Queen of Cultural Dance Programs award.
Shankara Ratna Prasad Reddy, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Arvind Krishnaswami, recipient of the Brand Ambassador Award, could not be honored in person because of unavoidable circumstances. Organizers said they regret missing the opportunity to recognize them and look forward to honoring them at another time.
More than 40 guests traveled from outside Georgia, representing 14 of Sankara Nethralaya USA’s 30 chapters across the country.
The event’s total commitments exceeded $2 million, including a $500,000 contribution from Shanta Lall in memory of her husband, Dr. Shanker Lal. The commitments will support Sankara Nethralaya USA’s Adopt-a-Village and MESU programs.
Organizers thanked Moorthy Rekapalli for managing chapter budgets and supplies; Meher Lanka for guest accommodations; Venky Neelam for venue arrangements; Srini Reddy Vangimalla for food and bouquets; Dr. Madhuri Namuduri for backstage assistance; Syam Appali for digital media; Dr. Reddy Urimindi for artists’ travel; Vamsi Eruvaram and Chandra Mouli for publicity; and Madhavi Indurti for hosting lunch for out-of-town guests at Firefly. Adi Morreddy, Rekha Reddy, Thirumal Munukuntla, Buchi Reddy and Srini Guptha helped address event needs.
Other team members thanked for their contributions were Dr. Kishore Reddy Rasamallu, Raj Aila, Ramesh Chaparala, Srihar Julapally, Phani Dokka, Karthikeyan Vinayagam, Biju Das, Giri Kotagiri, Dr. Janardhan Pannela, Logiya Avilineni, Subba Rao Maddali, Durga Gora, Sandeep Kowtha, Amsh Gaddamanugu and Charithra Julapally.
The organization also recognized MESU sponsors and supporters Dr. Kishore Chivukula, Vhaskar Ganti, Thirumal Reddy Kumbum, Dr. Prasad Garimella, Dr. Madhav Durbha, Srikanth Gundavarapu, Ani Agnihotri, Sriram Reddy Palla, Kodanda Devarapally, Dilip Tunki, Jagadeesh Cheemarla, Mustafa Ajmeri, Veena Rao and Venky Gadde of NRI Pulse, Tanuj Bolisetty and Ram Nethi.
Kakatiya Restaurant catered dinner, with additional food contributions from Chowrastha, Sri Krishna Vilas, Srirangam and Sambar to Sukka. Venkat Kuttuva Studios photographed the event, and Saraswathi Hamsini Decors provided decorations. Santosh and Samarth handled audio. Organizers also thanked the staff and management of South Forsyth High School and the volunteers whose planning, hospitality, logistics and stage support helped bring the concert together.