Irving, August 19, 2007: The first meeting of Telugu Sahitya Vedika, a Telugu literary forum, under aegis of Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX) took place at IndYaFusion Restaurant in Irving, TX today between 3 and 5pm today. This forum was initially opened by Sri Gollapudi Maruthi Rao garu (famous writer, journalist, screenplay writer and actor) and Smt. Dr. Avula Manjulatha garu (VC, Telugu University, Hyderabad) on July 21, 2007.

Sri Prasad Thotakura (General Secretary, TANA and local literary person) opened the meeting with the need and purpose of such a group as well as the potential program schedule. The event was graced by Dr. Vanguri Chitten Raju (famous literary person and writer from Houston, TX and President of Vanguri Foundation) as chief guest. Dr. Chitten Raju garu provided valuable input in promoting the forum in the form of appealing format, choice of topics, incorporation of elements of drama, humor & music as part of the program. Sri Raja Reddy (President of TANTEX) offered all his help from TANTEX.

The attendees, after self-introductions offered several ideas to make the forum stimulating, entertaining and educational. The group decided to meet every third Sunday afternoon of the month at rotating venue offered generously by local Indian restaurants. The next meeting will take place at Our Place Restaurant, Irving on September 16, 2007.

Local and international Telugu literary persons of repute will be invited to share their literary gems with the group. Many attendees shared their literary talents, poetic and musical renderings to the delight of the attendees. “Neela Danta” shared a poem on Andhra famous “Mirapakaaya Bajji” and Dr. Srinivas Reddy Alla sang some old Desa Bhakti geetaaalu including one written by late Sri Vinjamuri Sivarama Rao.

Several attendees contributed generously to the corpus fund of the group and the funds will be used exclusively for the benefit of the Telugu Sahitya Vedika.

The program concluded with vote of thanks from Prasad Thotakura with special thanks to IndYaFusion Restaurant (Sri Chekuri Koteswara Rao –KC) for providing the venue and food for the group.