April 8, 2006

The ‘Vyaya' naama samvatsara UGADI utsavam was celebrated in a big way on Saturday, the 1st of April in Long Beach, California organized the Telugu Association of Southern California (TASC).

Starting with Ganesha Pooja and Deepaaradhana, several programs were performed by local artists include the very entertaining Burrakatha that hilariously dealt on ‘Cricket', the film songs and folk dances. Bay Area Telugu Association also participated in the event making the event an excellent occasion to remember. The program was enjoyed to the fullest by hundreds of audience right from the start to the end.

It was 'Ghazal" Srinivas that has stolen the show. Starting with the Ghazal ‘okkasaari vooru vellira…' every one in the auditorium stepped for his tunes and lyrics. The fully packed auditorium resounded with the claps and response. It was mesmerizing and all the Telugu community was touched for the wonderful Ghazals on mother love and childhood. The audience gave a standing ovation for Dr Srinivas for his performance and on top of all reminding everyone his own childhood and affections by his excellent way of narration and singing the Ghazals. It was undoubtedly a wonderful experience for the whole community and Kumar Koneru who sponsored the event is very much thanked by the organizers.

Food being the integral part of the festival occasion, it has been excellently taken care of.

And nothing else can match it to make a program - a grand success! ‘Masala Bowl' restaurant provided the food that everyone enjoyed. The aavada, pulihora, kesari and all other items that are served reflected the typical telugu festival and the ‘ugadi patchadi' sponsored by ‘Chakra' restaurant is liked by one and all. The proactive involvement of volunteers in serving the food added more glamour to the occasion and caring to the guests.

Wishing all a wonderful New Year, The TASC President Ravi Koneru introduced all the Board members and the program sponsors. Vice President Anil Arrabelli introduced all the committee chairs. In a special ‘Thank you' note Ravi Koneru thanked all the sponsors and also the community for making this event a wonderful one to remember forever. Vikram Bojjam, Joint Secretary of TASC delivered the Vote of Thanks. He thanked each and everyone on and off the dais who worked very hard to make the event a grand success.

The Membership Committee lead by Suresh Chilukuri took an active role both in Membership enrolment and also the event management. All the cultural programs are very well planned and organized under the leadership of Cultural Secretary Lakshmi Chundu. Murali Donthireddy, the Cultural Chair handled the MC in pure Telugu which was very much applauded. The Food Committee chair Ramasekhar Kunchanapalli put a lot of effort to make sure the Food arrangements are made perfect including the quality and transportation. The chairs of various committees Sujit Vadi, Suneel Ralangi, Kiran Juvvadi and Usha Gorti extended their help in all the areas to make the event a grand success.

It was a splendid occasion that everyone remembers. The complete event was packed with festivity and flavored with fun. ‘UGADI sandarbhamga oka manchi program jarigindi' – ide andari maata. It was a lively show!