TAMA UGADI : A THUMPING SUCCESS WITH MUSIC & FOOD LOVERS

Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA) celebrated Telugu New Year 'Ugadi' on April 13th 2019 at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross, GA. For the first time in the history of TAMA, event was sold out before the event started with 2000 plus record turnout. Once in a year TAMA's Indian traditional dinner known as Sahapankti Bhojanalu and Tollywood Playback Singer Geetha Madhuri from South Indian Film Industry were special attractions. This event was sponsored by Persis Biryani Indian Grill, Patel Brothers, Horizon Softech, EIS Technologies, 27th Investments and Gandhi Farmers Insurance Agency.

The event was kicked off with Spell Master Challenge followed by Math Bowl competitions for elementary and middle school kids at 2 pm. About 200 kids participated in these contests hosted by Vijitha Gutta's team from Curie Learning Center in Cumming. Several vendor booths were setup offering snacks, jewelry, financial & educational services, clothes etc. At around 3:30 pm, everyone welcomed Singer Geetha Madhuri and took pictures as part of meet and greet.

Cultural programs started at 4:30 pm with a welcome note by TAMA Cultural Secretary Subbarao Maddali. Executive Committee members Venky Gadde, Bharath Maddineni, Innaiah Yenumula, Priya Balusu, Sairam Karumanchi, Aditya Gali, Ravi Kalli, Suresh Bandaru, Rupendra Vemulapalli, Bharath Avirneni, Srivalli Sridhar and Board of Directors Vinay Maddineni, Rajasekhar Chunduri, Nagesh Doddaka, Anand Akkineni, Kamal Satuluru, Srinivas Uppu, Singer Geetha Madhuri and Anchor Sameera were present at Jyothi Prajwalana. Various cultural performances by the top-notch dance & music schools, Fashion show and witty anchoring by Sameera entertained the audience. Ugadi special Panchanga Sravanam was presented by priest Sri Ravi Medicherla from Satyanarayana swami temple.

TAMA President Venky Gadde invited chief guest Mr. Todd Jones from District 25, Georgia House of Representatives onto stage and explained about TAMA service activities and Ugadi festival. Todd wished everyone happy Telugu new year, expressed his happiness to join the diverse Telugu culture and offered to come see him in his office to discuss any problems that Telugu community is facing. Later he was felicitated with a flower bouquet and a shawl. Several raffle prizes sponsored by Dr. Nandini from WellStar Hospitals, Indian Flavors, Cafe Bahar, Olive Garden, Vijaya Collections and Native Trendz were drawn throughout the event. Trophies and certificates were presented to the Spell Master Challenge and Math Bowl competitions winners.

Tollywood popular playback singer and Big Boss show fame Geetha Madhuri enthralled the audience with many class, mass and fast beat songs. Auditorium was jam packed with crowd cheering all over and kids dancing on stage till 11:30 in the night. The highlight of this segment was Shiv's Institute students dancing for Geetha Madhuri's live singing. It was an energetic night with 7 hours of nonstop entertainment. Every one enjoyed Ugadi Pachhadi from Hindu Temple of Atlanta and mouthwatering dinner by Persis Biryani Indian Grill served in Indian traditional style known as Sahapankti Bhojanalu. TAMA team recognized the event sponsors and artists with flower bouquets, shawls and mementoes on stage.

TAMA President-Elect Bharat Maddineni thanked Sponsors, Anchor Sameera, Singer Geetha Madhuri, Audience, all local dance & music schools, Cultural Participants, A/V & Photography support by Sridhar Reddy of Vakiti Creations, Ugadi theme decoration & photo booth by Sujatha Ponnada of Maarigold Events, Volunteers specifically Srinivas Lavu, Anjaiah Chowdary Lavu, Anil Yelamanchili, Rajesh Jampala, Ram Maddi, Upendra Narra, Srini Balusu, Vijay Kotha, Vijay Kothapalli, Giri Suryadevara, Murali Boddu, Suresh Dhulipudi, Bala Madda, Anil Kolli, Venkat Adusumilli, Mahesh Pawar, Venkat Meesala, Sreeram Royyala, Yashwanth Jonnalagadda, Hemanth Varma Penmetsa, Ramesh Vennalakanti, Sanvi, Akshu, Monish, Tanish, Rithik, Rushil, Akhil, Vamsi Kanamarlapudi, Srinivas Kukkadapu, Santosh, Saritha, Gouthami Prem, Satya Nagendar, Anil, Nagesh Maganti, Murthy Mollivenkata, Srinivas Goli, Srinivas Kodela, Giridhar Kotagiri, Sasi Kelam and Apparao Gopu for helping throughout the event.