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.