TLCA celebrated Ugadi in a grand manner

New York: Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) celebrated Sri Jayanama Ugadi on a grand scale on April 12, 2014 under the President ship of Sri Rao Voleti. Singers from India, Prudhvi, Kousalya, and Comedian Shiva Reddy with his all-round performance enthralled the audience. Authentic Telugu food, excellent cultural show by the local talent received great applauds from the 700 plus audience.

Children from all over New York, New Jersey and Connecticut enthusiastically presented dance items for classical, folklore and cine songs. Though we are miles away from the homeland, being the single largest association and the oldest in the north-east, TLCA has been promoting and nurturing the Telugu culture and tradition. Kids presented excellent performances to numbers like Ugadi Vaibhavam, Jaya Poojita Shanjali and Devikruthi.

During the dinner break, Food committee led by the chair Sankar Rasaputra, provided authentic Telugu food including the festival special, Ugadi Pachadi.

In the post dinner segment, TLCA Youth lit the lamp, which emphasizes the importance given by TLCA to involve youth in the activities. The priest read the panchangam for the upcoming year. Later on in the program the children danced to the Ganesha stuti. The program was graced by the State Assemblyman Brian Curran and Nassau county legislator Laura Curran. The guests appreciated the contribution of the Telugus to US and to the motherland. TLCA Ugadi special souvenir, Telugu Velugu was released later by the chief guests. The souvenir was completely designed in-house by the Souvenir committee members, led by the Chair Jaya Prakash Enjapuri.

A skit "Tribute to ANR" was enacted by the members of the TLCA. Mrs. Roja Thapi wrote and directed skit.

Sri Rao Voleti, President TLCA spoke on the occasion. He detailed the future goals of TLCA and his vision of accomplishing them. He introduced the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees to the audience. Smt. Anu Daggupati conducted a Telugu quiz later in the program. As a tradition to honor the poets during Ugadi, Sri Raghuvarma Basavaraju, founder Telugu Sadassu of North America was honored. Sri Tirumal Rao and Sri Srinivas Guduru spoke on the occasion and praised the efforts of Sri Raghuvarma to popularize the use of Telugu.

Miss India 2005, Sindhu Gadde graced the occasion as a special guest. She detailed her experiences as Miss India and said Indian women and girls are making histories across the world. Smt. Raji Kuncham, Vice President, introduced Prathyusha Guduru from New York, who has won the title Miss South Asia International recently and was honored by the community. She was one of the only three inspiring youth selected to speak during the annual summit of US Fund for UNICEF in New York. Prathyusha said she will make best use of this platform to propagate her ideals, education, nutrition and health for children across the globe. She sought the blessings of the community for her Miss International competition.

Cultural Chair, Babu Kudaravalli, introduced the artists, Kousalya Pruthvi and Shiva Reddy. Kousalya and Prudhvi entertained the audience with their songs. Shivareddy's all rounded performance in mimicry, ventriloquism, songs segments was well received by the audience. His performance dressed up as woman has enthralled the audience and the hall reverberated with applause. Babu Kudaravalli and Shivareddy teamed up and enacted an extempore skit which again was another highlight of the program.

A raffle was conducted by Sri Krishna Maddipatla, Chairman, Maddipatla foundation. Winners were distributed prizes. Treasurer Sri Srinivas Guduru, Jt. Treasurer, Ashok Chintakunta moderated the segment.

Joint Secretary, Shri Dharmarao Thapi proposed vote of thanks to the artists, audience, the local talent and the media representatives.