April 27, 2011

Telugu Association of Minnesota (TEAM) Ugadi celebrations in Minnesota

Telugu new year “Sri Khara” Ugadi was celebrated with grand festivity in twin cities of Saint Paul, Minneapolis in Minnesota. Telugu Association of Minnesota (TEAM) organized this annual event at Jefferson High School Bloomington on Sat Apr 23, 2011. The event got an overwhelming support from Telugu community living in capital city of Minnesota and surrounding suburbs including adjacent towns. The attendance crossed a record turnout of over 1000 over filling the auditorium capacity. TEAM is one of the largest Indian organizations in Minnesota leading community activities to preserve and promote Indian culture.

The evening started with traditional welcome with Telugu New Year greetings and serving “Udagi Pachadi”. Social hour was enjoyable with mouth watering snacks and drinks. There were numerous vendor stalls with gifts and raffles to engage the crowd. TEAM presented vendor promotions and community activities through a multimedia slide show and blended with melodious karaoke songs by Dream Music group.

The main program started with traditional Ganapathi pooja performed by local priests on stage as the TEAM committee members greeting and welcoming Telugu New Year “Sri Khara Nama Samvatsaram”. TEAM cultural secretary Shailaja welcomed the fully packed house of jubilant audience to a thunderous applause to begin the festivity with cultural programs. There were about 200 participants who worked very hard for over 3 months along with parents and choreographers to put together the show.

A patriotic song Vandemataram on guitar set a nice tone to the program start followed by Gnapatikautvam a classical Bharatanatyam performance. Next few items were foot taping beats from tollywood song performances from Mirapkai, Adurs, Robo, movies. As the program ramping up to excitement TEAM President Hari greeted the crowd and informed that TEAM is expanding its activities beyond festivals and cultural functions and getting involved in more service oriented activities like Feed The Starving Children, help the charitable organizations etc. TEAM is seen as a role model for other organizations with it’s acts and deeds and thanked the community for it’s active support.

The night’s program took off with exuberance as the top notch performances of classical, light music, bollywood and tollywood items from all age groups. The program went on for about 3 hrs and providing through enjoyment to a packed auditorium. Popular film songs include Mokkajonna totalo, Doli tare dol baje, and songs from Ragada, Magadhhera, Jalsa, Kanti etc. A musical drama depicting a sculptor’s passion in British era was well performed raising patriotic emotions. The crowd was informed about the inauguration of new building for SV temple in August. TEAM Vice President Sudhir extended the vote of thanks to vendors, sponsors and volunteers for the support. He expressed his gratitude’s to Platinum sponsor of the event “ Mathnasium” and other sponsors, New Horizon, India Palace, Namaste plaza, Kabobs, Vipul Goel, Brookdale Cinema, and SV Temple for their support to TEAM.

The event culminated with sumptuous dinner with lots of verities of veg, non-veg and tiffin section as well. Ragalahari group provided live karaoke music during the dinner and it was well received by one and all.

TEAM core committee, extended committee, Board of directors and numerous volunteers worked very hard to make this event a grand success.