Atlanta, GA: Ugadi Utsavaalu, TAMA’s cultural event to celebrate Telugu New Year Day, was celebrated on April 5, 2014 at Norcross High School, Norcross, GA. The event sponsors for this year were Spices Hut and Dr. Prem Reddy & Dr. Malla Reddy of NATA.
A beautiful Saturday evening with warm and crisp weather, breaking the continuous spell of cold, turned out to be a perfect setting for a huge turnout that seemed to have enjoyed an eclectic mix of dances, songs and instrumentals featuring classical, folk and film songs.
TAMA’s has witnessed many milestones in its 34-year history, and, this year Banti Bojanalu was surely one such milestone. It was a perfect blend of planning, execution, delicious food, taking decision in the last minute if needed, along with great team work. More than 40 volunteers worked continuously and tirelessly on the event day in keeping with TAMA’s great efforts to produce a cultural environment for the younger generation and providing them the taste of our rich tradition of food serving.
The event itself was flagged off by cultural secretary Anil Boddireddy’s address followed by a prayer. President Sandhya Yellapragada explained various activities TAMA will organize this year, and chairman Sunil Savali talked at length about the progress on long term projects of TAMA like the clinic, the importance of serving community and the building project.
One of the special aspects of this event was the enthusiastic participation from various local dance schools around the town. Aparna Turga‘s group, Hema Shilpa dance group, Sidharth from Kalaivani dance group were big hits with the crowd, as was the fashion show by GT students. Priest PhaniKumar’s Panchaanga Sravanam provided insight into what’s in store this year for people from various sun signs.
Emcees for the event, and also special guest from India “Mana oori Vanta” fame Syamala engaged the audience with her comic exchanges and anecdotes related to the importance of Ugadi festival.
The Banti Bojanalu, a South Indian way of hosting and serving food, which was well received by the Telugu community of Atlanta included sweets from India and a wide array of mouth watering, delicious food items. TAMA EC and Board under guidance of Chairman Sunil Savili formed a food committee with 30 volunteers to fulfill the task without flaws.
TAMA conducted kavita and katha poti, and the winners were announced and felicitated on Ugadi stage by literary secretary Shyam Mallavarapu. Sri Harsha Yeraneni sports secretary provided updates of upcoming sports events.
TAMA’s special raffles like “puttadi bommaki Pattu parikini” was a huge success, which was sponsored by Vijaya Collection, where ladies received colorful sarees.
NATA Convention convener, also former TAMA past president reiterated TAMA importance in NATA convention, and invited community to upcoming NATA convention which will be going to happen on July 4th.
Vice President Vinay Maddineni provided vote of thanks at the event.
TAMA board members thanked the participants, coordinators and volunteers for the success of the event.
