TAGC (Telugu Association of Greater Chicago) celebrated Ugadi and Ramanavami festivals on April 10th evening at Samarathi Auditorium at Hindu Temple of Grater Chicago. The program was a grand fiesta with the auditorium packed with about 1300 people, their claps and whistles. Rekha (film actress from the movie Anandam), Anitha Chowdary (popular TV anchor & actress ) were special invitees to the function. Well known actress from yester years, Raja Sulochana was the chief Guest for the evening.

The program began with welcome by TAGC president, Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy, followed by the traditional "Panchanga Sravanam" by priests of Hindu Temple. Master of Ceremony Anitha Chowdary and Ram Mohan Bukkapatnam took over the stage and introduced more then 150 local artists of all ages who performed items including songs, humorous dramas and dances ranging from classical to folk to filmi.

While dances to popular film songs "Om Navassivaya" (Sagara sangamam), "Telugu Jaati Teeyadanam" (Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu), "Akhilandeswari" (Saptapadi), "Mahiree" (Kal Ho Na Ho), "Chandamama Ratirela" (Anjali) kept the audience spell bound, dances to folk songs "Pelladamannadu Maannannaru", "Hoyyare Hoi" got them on their feet following the rhythm. Audience were taken through memories of home back in India, when a popular National Integration theme based song, "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" was presented.

"Dances of Andhra Pradesh (AP)" - a presentation of diverse and traditional dance forms of AP was a colorful spectacle and gave the young audience (born in US or migrated to US at a very young age) a first hand view of their rich heritage while the rest of the crowd cherished the fond memories of their home land enjoying these dances. The viewers were fascinated by the dance moves and expressions of 3 very young kids for the song "Mahiree" (Kal Ho Na Ho). Master of Ceremony, Anitha remarked that these kids were as good as Sharukh, Siahf Ali Khan and Preeti Zinta and would out beat them in 10 years. Another dance for the famous song "Dhai Dhai Dhamma" (Indra) performed by a kid of the same age filled the auditorium with whistles and applauses especially when he performed the Mega Starts famous 'Veena Step'. At one point, Rekha (film actress) herself got on the stage to join this young hero as his heroin.

One of the highlights include Rekha's dances to popular beats "Asa aasa" (Varsham), "It's the time to disco" (Kal ho Na Ho). Another exciting moment was when a viewer was selected on a random lottery basis to dance with her. Rekha charmed the audience with her wit and talent. She made surprise visits on the stage and kept everybody guessing with what's coming up next. Anitha on the other hand engaged the crowds with her wit, humor and charisma. She got into people, asking questions, telling jokes taking on the spot feedback etc. Both the guests expressed that all through the program they forgot the fact that they are miles away from home.

Chief Guest Raja Sulochana gave away prizes to the winners of Table tennis tournaments, Antakshari and other programs previously conducted by TAGC. She also presented mementos to special invitees Rekha and Anitha Chowdary. The former actress was felicitated by TAGC.

"Americalo Andhra Store", a humors play written on a typical Indian Grocery Store in US, filled the auditorium with giggles and laughs. Bhangra dance by teen-age boys was a big hit in many folds in that not only the dance was well synchronized but also engages an age group of boys who tend to shy away from such participations, here in US.

One of the most enjoyed parts of the function was the food. The function usually starts with dinner followed by cultural programs. In this event, the dinner was so mouthwateringly delicious that TAGC committee had difficulty getting people to get past the dinner. It was indeed a "Vindu Bhojanam". Every TAGC members also received a surprise gift of Vendi Kumkum bharina and Telugu calendar from TAGC.

The program ended with vote of thanks by Prasuna Vootkur.

Over all, the program was a mega hit and stands one of the bests when compared to other programs organized by TAGC in the past. TAGC owes this success to the coordination, creativity and dedication put forth by the choreographers, their spouses and volunteers who silently help manage the show, the participants, the members and sponsors who are willing to spend dollars to ensure we pass on our heritage to the younger generations.