An immersion into Telugu culture at Ugadi Uthsavalu
Telugu Association of Atlanta (TAMA) conducted Sri Sobhakrit Ugadi Uthsavalu on April 8 at Denmark High School, Alpharetta, in a grand and gala manner. Despite the torrential rain and cold weather throughout the day, over 2000 Atlantans participated cheerfully and enthusiastically in these festivities. The campus was abuzz with the sounds of music, entertainment, dance, culture, literature, and education. Some 70-80 volunteers ensured that food was served to all till the end. TAMA’s focus on youth could be seen as its young members worked closely with the elders in every department. There were more than 20 vendor stalls with clothes, food, snacks, jewelry, and various other businesses, where children and women were seen walking around and making purchases.
As part of the celebrations, many children gave solo and group performances that included singing and dancing.
On the day of the event, around two in the afternoon, language competitions were held, especially for children. More than 100 boys and girls participated and showcased their talent. Children were divided into three categories in the sections of children’s poetry and public speaking. The Education Secretary for TAMA, Venkat Gokyada, welcomed everyone and informed them of the rules. Poetry and short story competitions for adults were a special attraction this time. Special guests, Professor Sri. Vidyasagar as well as Manabadi teachers, acted as judges.
The Cultural Secretary, Tiru Chillapalli, welcomed everyone with Ugadi greetings and invited TAMA Executive Committee as well as the Board of Directors onto the stage. The program started with Jyothi Prajwalana (lighting of lamps) and Vigneshwara song. The Board Chairman, Subbarao Maddali, elaborated about the free clinic, seminars, and scholarships. Pandit Sri Ravi Shankar conducted Panchanga Shravanam that the audience listened to attentively.
The guests of honor: Consulate General of India in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Senator Shaun Still, and scientist Dr. Kameswara Rao Badri, congratulated everyone and praised the various programs being conducted by TAMA. Manabadi leaders, teachers, doctors and founder members of RNR College, writers, scientists, and artists were felicitated as part of the Ugadi awards.
[Left] Current and past presidents, board members, and volunteer teams came together to make the event a success.
Devotional songs, film dances, classical music, folk songs, and medleys performed by Atlanta artists enthralled the audience. Programs like Ghoshti Ganam, Ramayana dance drama, epic poem chanting, Manabadi children’s play, and fashion show were very entertaining. Everyone, especially the children, was impressed by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck character artists.
Anchors Raghu Vemula and Sravya Manasa held the interest of the audience with their timing and dynamism. Certificates of appreciation were presented to all the participants in the cultural programs. Popular Tollywood film singers, Anudeep Dev and Mounima, sang songs as part of the musical night which made everyone, young to seniors, come on the stage and dance.
Special food items like pickles, sweets, powders, and snacks from Andhra, Telangana, and Rayalaseema regions in India; Ugadi Pachadi from Omkar Foods; and delicious dinner items from Persis Biryani Grill were the highlights of Banthi Bhojanau.
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