TAMA Sankranthi Sambaralu
Some records were broken. Few new ones set!

In what can be called as ‘The Best TAMA Event in Years’, three records were set… Started on time, over 1200 attendees and about 250 kids participated in contests. What a great feeling to start the New Year!
Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA) Sankranthi Sambaralu was celebrated on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Norcross High School, Norcross, GA. The event was sponsored by Shoora EB5 Fund, My Tax Filer and Sankranti Restaurant & Social Event Plaza.

The event was kicked off with two simultaneous contests for kids of all ages from 2 pm. Public Speaking Contest by The Young Leaders Academy (TYLA) and Art Competition by Global Art on Pongal-O-Pongal theme. For women, Sankranthi theme Rangoli competition and free Mehandi. Face Painting attracted lot of kids. Several local vendor booths were set up at the venue offering clothes, jewelry, snack stalls, financial services etc.

Onstage event started at 4:30 pm with a welcome note by the Cultural Secretary Subbarao Maddali. Officers of the Executive Committee and Board were present at the ‘Jyothi Prajwalana’. The very first item was a musical program by five visually disabled artists singing and playing their instruments which was well received by the audience.  Several mixed cultural activities were performed by young kids, teens and adults with classical and movie medley dances. Telugu story readings, mono action with famous NTR movie Daana Veera Soora Karna dialogues, humorous skits which were thoroughly entertained all the audience. Hilarious anchoring by Emcee Sridhar Potabattula entertained all ages.

The President Venky Gadde has invited the Guest of Honor Angelika Kausche, Johns Creek, District 50 House Representative, explained about TAMA and Sankranti festival. The Treasurer Priya Balusu felicitated her with a Shawl. Ms. Kausche was very happy attending this program and said she has learned diverse Telugu culture and wished TAMA audience on Sankranthi. TAMA team has felicitated Sheela Lingam, Seetha Valluripalli and Kris Gadde who served TAMA in the past on various capacities and Manabadi teachers & coordinators who have been teaching Telugu to the kids every Saturday.
There were many raffle prizes drawn in between local talent programs including Godavari restaurant gift vouchers, Vijaya Collections & Native Trenz sarees, ABC Party Hall Gift Voucher and a diamond ring by KB Zaveree.

In the prime time, well-known singers Shilpa Rao and Prasad Simhadri entertained audience with many old, new, class, mass and fast beat songs. Kids & adults danced on stage with joy and happy to those songs.
Traditional dress competition was one of the attractions. Many kids, adults participated and won prizes. Winners of the art competition, Rangoli competition and public speaking contest received their prizes on the stage. Everyone enjoyed delicious food provided by Sankranthi restaurant. TAMA team recognized the sponsors of the event Shoora EB5 Fund, My Tax Filer and Sankranti restaurant with a shawl and a plaque.

Roughly around 1200 people enjoyed the Sankranthi celebrations with wonderful food, very energetic cultural programs, songs by professional singers until 11 pm.

In his closing remarks and Vote of Thanks, president Venky Gadde, thanked Sankranthi theme decoration by Sujatha Ponnada of Maarigold Events, A/V Support & Photography by ByteGraph Prashant, Srinivas Nimmagadda owner of Sankranthi Restaurant, Sponsors, volunteers, Officers of the Committees, Emcee Sridhar, Norcross High School and wonderful audience.