Chicago Telugu Association Celebrates Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami
Chicago Telugu Association celebrated Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami on grand scale at Balaji Temple Auditorium in Chicago, USA on March 31, 2018. More than 600 people attended cultural and fun filled event. CTA also announced the Gandhi-King Scholarship award winners as for Spring 2018 semester.
Celebrations included several cultural programs like panchanga sravanam, classical kuchipudi dances, classical music, Ugadi pacchadi competitions, telugu elocution, tribute to late actress Sridevi and more.
Large number of Telugu families gathered at this grand event. The auditorium was filled with festive atmosphere and started off with Prayer song by Ramya Kapila and Anvitha. CTA cultural team welcomed and wished everyone Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami wishes and hoped that the New Year will bring happiness and prosperity to all the families. The event is anchored by Ms. Anvitha and Suresh Badam in true telugu style.
The evening was filled with various classical performances, classical songs and latest dhamaka songs along with colorful mix of folk songs. Telugu Elocution on Ugadi/Sri Rama Navami performed by group of kids render the various padyams from vemana and Sumathi satakams and explain the meaning in telugu. Another exciting program was Ugadi Pacchadi competitions and total 10 shortlisted pachhidi made by participants were in put in for final round.
Panchanga Shravanam was performed by Acharyulu Subramanyam. Annamacharya Keerthana (Ramachandrudithadu Raghuveerudu), Sri Rama Nee Nama Memi ruchi ra, Annamacharya Krithi - Tirumala Giri Raya were performed by kids.
Classical items included are Adhivo Alladhivo song choreographed by teacher Ms. Sobha Tammana, Vinayaka Kowthvam - Kuchipudi Dance by teacher Ms. Aparna Prashantha, EDGE- A meeting point of three frontiers by Ananda Dance Theatre of teacher Ms.Janaki Nair, Shambo Mahadeva by Acharya Performing Arts Academy of teacher Ms. Asha Adiga were presented.
Other non-classical items included were Ugadi Folk Dance, Boys Rockstars Choreographed by Hardhil Tarigonda and Cordinated by Eswari Jagarapu.
Special Ballet tribute coordinated by Anitha Goli and Bhavani Nainala was performed by more than 20 kids performing various popular songs from late actress Sridevi. Some of the songs
covered were Sridevi’s movie with NTR, ANR, Krishna Sobhan Babu, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh and Nagarjuna.
Cultural Team members Anitha Goli, Anusha Vidapalapati, Sujana Achanta, Rani Vege, Bhavani Ami, Havilah Devarapalli, Suresh Badam, Anvitha, Kousalya Gutta, Ramya Kapila coordinated the cultural programs for the event. The program is supported by organizing committee members Naveen Ganta, Hari Prasad, Bhushan, Anand Pilli, Nagabhushanam Bheemisetty, Ram Gopal Devarapalli, Pramod Paidipely, Dheeraj Manthena, Chaitanya Kakarala, Murali Parimi, Umadevi Sana, Vishnu, Jalagam, Mythili Jalagam, Anil Moparthi, and Bhavani Saraswathy.
Prasad Talluru, Founding President of CTA presented the certificates to participants. Board of Directors Praveen Moturu, Ramesh Maryala, Dr. Paul Devarapalli, Rao Achanta, Ashok Pagadala, Rahul Viratapu and community leaders Azad Sunkavalli, Krishna Mushyam, Krishna Rangaraju, Ratnakar Karumuri and others graced the event.
CTA President Nagendra Vege thanked CTA Cultural team for conducting an outstanding event and thanked the Telugu families for making the event successful. Mr. Vege also thanked the Balaji Temple Management and volunteer for their support.