ATA celebrated Dasara with traditional fervor

New Jersey, USA: The American Telugu Association, a nonprofit organization serving the community in the United States since its inception in the early 1990s, is holding a national meeting and youth convention in Philadelphia next year during the July 4 weekend. In the run-up to that mega-event ATA, as the association is known informally, is organizing a series of programs to physically and psychologically prepare its members and patrons for the great occasion.

As part of that, an event celebrating Dasara'which is among the important festivals of the Telugu people here in the US and back home'was arranged. The festival is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

More than 700 people from across the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as Pennsylvania and Delaware attended the program arranged by ATA at the Royal Albert's Palace banquet hall in Fords, New Jersey on Sunday, October 20.

The six-hour celebrations began with the traditional Durga Pooja that was followed by a procession of the goddess. After other rituals attendees exchanged greetings with 'Jammi Aaku (leaf)'. Cultural programs were presented by students of various dance schools in the New Jersey area such as the Kuchipudi Dance Center and Shyla Academy of South Jersey. Guests were welcomed by Raghuveer Reddy, the ATA regional coordinator. With this, ATA formally kicked off a series of programs that will culminate in the mega-event, the three-day convention in Philadelphia on the Independence Day weekend in 2014.

Priest Velamuri, a resident of New Jersey, explained the significance of the occasion, saying that at the beginning of every program the blessings of the goddess are invoked. He noted that any piece of work that begins on this day with devotion and sincerity will be successful. Velamuri recalled that the day was known as the occasion on which Lord Rama and Arjuna succeeded in their efforts and returned home victoriously.

ATA President Karunakar Madhavaram addressed the gathering and spoke eloquently about the organization, its values and services to the community. He requested everybody present at the gathering to become ATA members.

Parmesh Bheemreddy, the 13th ATA Conference Convener, addressed the gathering and talked about the upcoming major event. He appealed to all the attendees to register early and make it a grand success. He introduced all leaders and ATA team members to the audience. He specially congratulated and expressed gratitude to all donors for their continued support for ATA. Some of ATA leaders came all the way from Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington DC and other far-away places. ATA leadership honored the donors on the occasion saying that without their best wishes and material help such massive convention cannot be organized. In his brief speech, the convener also appreciated the services the news media for propagating the organization's programs in this country and abroad, particularly in Andhra Pradesh.

On the occasion, ATA President Elect, Sudhakar Perkari greeted the attendees and introduced Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.

Dance segments were choreographed among others by Indira Sreeram Dixith, artistic director at the Center for Kuchipudi Dance in Kendall Park, New Jersey. Her students performed traditional and folk dances and mesmerized the gathering. With their glittering dresses and great footwork, the dancers took the spectators to a different world and time back home Singer Anjana Soumya's devotional and movie songs raised the level of enthusiasm of the audience who listened to her singing with rapt attention. Her co-singer Deepu and another singer Rela Re Ravi also ensured that the audience did not leave their seats. 'Paduthaa Thiyaagaa' (singing) contest winner Vamshi Priya also regaled the audience.

The celebration was attended by community leaders from organizations such as TANA and NATS. New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula was among the dignitaries present.

Other prominent attendees were--ATA founding member and past president Hanmanth Reddy, 13th Conference Coordinator Bhuvanesh Boojala, local coordinator Krishna Dyapa, Conference Director Balwanth Kommidi, Secretary Ananth Pajjur, Treasurer Narendar Chemarla, Ad hoc committee members Vinod Koduru, Rammohan Konda and Satish Reddy; Board of trustees Parushuram Pinnapureddy, Suresh Jilla and Laxman Anugu; NATS leaders Dr. Madhu Korrapati, Gangadhar Rao Desu and Mohan Mannava, TAGDV President Ravi Potluri.

Many attendees praised the ATA team for its efforts in conducting the Dasara event in the traditional way. The ATA organizing committee expressed its thanks to all the supporters who made the program a grand success. The event was organized by 13th ATA Conference Convener Parmesh Bheemreddy and co-hosted by ATA Regional Coordinators Raghuveer Reddy, Venu Sankineni and Bhaghawan Pingle. It was supported by local standing committee chairs Dhiraj Akula, Sreekanth Gudipati and Mahi Sannapareddy; Past Treasurer Narayana Pirlamarla, 13th ATA Conference Committee chairs Indira Dixith (Cultural), Ramesh Maganti (Food), Pradeep Suwarna (Venue), Ravi Peddi (Audio Visual), Ravi Patlola (Registration), Srinivas Dargula (Alumni), Vijay Kundur (Hospitality), Raj Chilumula (Corporate Sponsorship), and co-chairs Venkatram Vemularam (banquet), Srinivas Ranabothu (Publicity), Kishore Bhupathi (Safety and Security).

Food served was authentic Telugu cuisine with pickles that were special to the region. Krishna Dyapa, conference local coordinator, thanked all attendees for making this event a grand success.