TARA Celebrated Ugadi in United Kingdom

London: The Telugu Association of Reading and Around (TARA) celebrated the festival of Ugadi (Sri Jaya Nama Samvatsaram) with great zeal in Reading. Over 400 hundred Telugu families joined the celebrations held at 3 Sixty Hall, University of Reading, UK. Several Telugu families from surrounding cities Lower Earley, Newbury, Basingstoke, Woodley, Wokingham, Slough, Swindon, Caversham and other areas have also joined the program that is packed with series of traditional, cultural dances, drama, dance, comedy skits and flash mob dance.

The festival has begun with Jyothi Prajwalana performed by TARA President, Lakshmi Maturu. Kids carried the pla-cards displaying the zodiac signs while Surya Prakash rendered the 'Raashi-Phalaalu'. To encourage kids to learn & adopt Telugu language, 'Telugaata' programme was conducted. Kids of all ages & adults performed several traditional music & dances, including Veena/Violin, Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Radha-Krishna, Ekapaathrabhinayam, Ramayanam, Medley Dances, Yamalokam, Call your doctor, Omkar Dance Challenge which were very well enjoyed and appreciated by the audience. Group of members gave surprise to the audience with flash mob dance, where about 25 people suddenly came from the audience before lunch and started dancing in sync. Cheering, claps, whistles were all over and certainly participants enjoyed the performance.

Famous Violinist, Carnatic Music Composer, prestigious Chanakya award winner, Dr.Jyotsna Srikanth attended the event as chief guest and famous playback singer, Nandi award winner, Ms. Malavika enthralled the audience with her melodious voice.

Melodious musical singing performances performed by Nandi award winner & play back singer Ms.Malavika enthralled the audience. Kids & adults were seen dancing all over to the music beats and Malavika's melodious voice. Audience was mesmerised with Malavika's voice when she rendered the song 'Ammaa..Avani..Nela Thalli..' from the movie 'Rajanna'. TARA Core Committee members (Lakshmi Maturu ' President, Ravikanth Vakada ' Secretary, Naveen Gurram ' Treasurer and Trustees, Surya Prakash Bhallamudi, Gopikishan Nerellakunta, Rambabu Boorugu, Venkat Para & Santhosh Batchu), presented memento to Ms.Malavika as a token of love for being part of the event & in appreciation of her talent.

Audience were spell-bound by Chief guest Dr.Jyotsna Srikanth's violin fusion mixed music. Synchronised claps echoed the hall. On behalf of TARA, Core Committee members Lakshmi & Ravikanth felicitated Dr.Jyotsna garu in recognition to her services to the music industry. Various songs (from 'Cheli' movie, 'Manohara..Naa hrudyamalo..' to 'Why this Kolavari Di') were performed by Dr.Jyotsna garu and audience were cherishing every moment of her performance and it was one of the rare opportunities that TARA members present enjoyed the power of Violin under Dr.Jyotsna garu.

TARA Secretary Ravikanth explained that TARA has determined plans to introduce several courses for kids & teens, such as 'Manamaata', 'Balaanandam', 'Vedic Mathematics' to protect, preserve & pass on Telugu culture & language to kids. And more sports/youth programmes, besides various social/cultural/community & arts programmes are planned to bring Telugu community in & around close.

Naveen Gurram & Ravikanth appreciated the efforts of all participants, parents for encouraging their kids to perform in Ugadi Celebrations and thanked Executive Committee members & Volunteers who supported in making the event successful. Event was concluded with vote of thanks. For further details visit our website http://www.tarauk.org

For event photos, please click here: http://www.telugupeople.com/NewsGallery/gallery.asp?gt=2&id=1222