The Paramount-sponsored TAMA Sankranthi Sambaraalu
(Photo: Vakiti Creations)
New Year 2014 started on a very good note for TAMA, with a ‘never-been-seen scene’ buzzing with crowds, high-voltage programs, and busy stalls at the Sankranthi Sambaraalu celebrations on January 18, 2014 at Berkmar High School, Lilburn, Georgia.
The welcome by Cultural Secretary Anil Boddireddy was followed by a Ganapati song while the team lit the lamp. Emcees Suresh Korothu, Sravani Rachakulla, and Janardhan Pannela got the ball rolling in a unique way as Revati Mettukuru, President of Tennessee Andhara Samiti, joined them. An eclectic mix of dances, songs, and instrumentals featuring classical, folk, and film songs were lined up by the TAMA team for the audiences. A special attraction was mimicry by Mr Ravi Bhaviri of the famous Evadigola Vadide program on TV9.
President Sandhya Yellapragada introduced the 2014 Executive Committee Team. Sunil Savili, newly elected Chairman of the Board, explained the board's projects including the need for office space and efforts in owning a new building of its own. Chief Guest of the night Rajinder Singh, Consul Head of Chancery from Consulate General of India in Atlanta, brought good wishes for the Telugu people for Sankranti.
Muggula pooti (cf. rangoli) was conducted for enthusiastic women; prizes were sponsored by Hotbreads. A free mehendi booth was arranged by TAMA. Monduga vaste pattucheera ("first come, silk sari!"), a different and unique raffle, was conducted, sponsored by Vijaya Collections of Atlanta.
The event was sponsored by Paramount Software solutions. A delicious festival dinner was provided by Srikrishna Vilas. Photography services were offered by Sridhar Vakiti and Praveen Boppana of Vakiti Creations, and the DJ was provided by Don DJ with support of Srinivas Durgam. The show was gracefully wound up with thank yous by Vice President Vinay Maddineni.
Website Bonus Feature
Below:
TAMA recognition: names of Executive Committee, Board, Volunteers
2013 TAMA report: "Sankranti Event... Music, Dance and a bunch of emotions!"
An explanation of muggula poti:
Video: Sankranthi Sambaralu-2013 Muggula Poti-2 @ Cherlo Yadavalli
Video: ABN Muggula Poti
TAMA’s newly elected Executive Committee:
Sandhya Yellapragada, Vinay Maddineni, Venkat Meesala, Nagaraju Manthena, Anil Boddireddy, Srini Peddi, Rajesh Yallabandi, Kiran Gogeneni, Shyam Mallavarapu, Sri Harsha Yerneni, Raju Mandapati.
TAMA Board:
Sunil Savili, Vijju Chiluveru, Nagesh Doddaka, Rajesh Jampala, Sudhaker Borra, Sudhaker Vallurupalli, Sairam Pamulapati, Vijay Kothapalli, Devanand Kondur, and Ram Maddi.
Volunteers:
Stage decoration was done by Katyayini Pinnika, Praveena Gunji, Saritha Kondapalli, Sudha Reddy, Madhavi Nakka, Sreelakshmi Madduri, and Rupa Gattu.
Gopi Mulpuri, Rajasekar Munaga, Krishna Mahankali helped the cultural team and hospitality.
Padma Nimmagada and Aruna Sangawar volunteered for muggula poti.
Nagaraju Manthena, Vinay Maddineni, Suresh Peddi, Arjuna S. Venkata, Sandeep Mandarapu, and Sai Rajeev Reddy helped at the food counters.
Kondal Nallajerla, Venkat Meesala, and Rajesh volunteered in chairs arrangements, etc.
2013 TAMA report: "Sankranti Event... Music, Dance and a bunch of emotions!"
http://www.tama.org/content/2013-sankranti-writeup
An explanation of muggula poti:
Rangavalli Muggu in Telugu, Rangoli in Kannada and Kolam in Tamil is an Indian pattern based on mathematical grid structures, used to make a form of sandpainting for religious festivals. There is a symmetry to the designs and they are used in handicraft and stitching as well as in gardens and on ground using flour or powder.
These patterns or designs were once created using rice flour. Holding a handful of flour in their right hand, the woman will uniformly drop the flour to make a line through her thumb and pointer and keep on moving her hands to make the curve or the dots. Nowadays, women use powdered stones. (Stone is crushed and sold commercially).
The patterns are very complicated and huge during festival months. The temples will have complex patterns that will cover thousands of square feet. Sometimes, several women together will create one large design. The patterns are also called 'Muggulu' in telugu and 'Kolam' in Tamil'.
When the symmetrical pattern is decorated in colors using colored sand or flowers, then it is called rangoli.
The design or pattern is not always symmetrical. It could just be a continuous line that curves around to make a border or continuous line design. The "threshold" design, as it also referred to, is compared to African sand drawings. http://www.bangalorewishesh.com/component/eventlist/details/1-muggula-poti-2011.html?pop=1&tmpl=component
Videos:
1. ABN Muggula Poti
2. Sankranthi Sambaralu-2013 Muggula Poti-2 @ Cherlo Yadavalli
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