By Ravi R. Ponangi
Atlanta: The Telugu speaking Indian community in Atlanta are
fully engaged in preparations to celebrate the two-day main
event of the yearlong silver jubilee celebrations of the Telugu
Association of metro Atlanta (TAMA). The two-day event will be
held here on September 2-3, 2006 at the Gwinnett Civic center.
The year long silver jubilee celebrations of TAMA that started
on December 18, 2005 with a fund raising lunch continued with
enthusiasm with a variety of programs like the sahiti sadassu,
literary discussions, a kids festival, the initiating of a
Telugu language chair at Emory university, a tennis tournament,
picnics, a heath fair and distributing merit scholarships to 115
students in Andhra Pradesh to the tune of $ 33,000, besides
observing festivals that are dear to the Telugu people.
More than 2000 delegates with their families are expected to
attend the main event. Programs are well planned by TAMA
president Bala and his team. Hectic preparations are under way
for the success of the celebrations and final touches were given
at the meeting of coordinators held at Swapna restaurant last
Saturday.
The two-day celebrations at Gwinnett promise to offer a complete
spectrum of programs related to knowledge and entertainment.
Programs include Rajatavadhanam by Satasahasravadhani Dr.
Madugula Naga Phani Sarma from India. Rajatavadhanam as a
literary performance has a unique place in the cultural and
literary tradition of Andhra Pradesh. The performer is usually a
learned scholar and a poet well versed in Telugu literature.
What is on display during the performance is the ability of the
scholar-poet to compose a poem on the spot on any topic given to
him. Twenty-five participants give the Avadhani assignments or
ask questions simultaneously. No other language in the world has
a similar literary performance
Our very own Harsha Agadi, a product of Hyderabad Public School
and president & CEO of Church’s chicken, Dr. Jagadish Sheth,
world renowned professor of marketing and Prof. Srinivasa Reddy,
director of the Coco-Cola Center of Marketing Studies will
explain the various business opportunities available in the
business seminar. Other programs include mahila sadassu, yoga
and health classes, the release of two publications authored by
two Atlanta based Telugu writers, a mega musical night by film
singers Usha and Gangadhar, a comedy show and mimicry by film
star Siva Reddy, Alumni – College reunion which offers excellent
advantage from networking with peers, classical music programs,
Pratapa Rudreeyam drama by local artists and a kids fest.
In all, 200 local artists will participate in the cultural
programs. The two-day event is divided into various sessions and
will be held simultaneously. The sessions include educational
seminars, drawing and dress competitions, vendor exhibitions and
cultural programs. Kenneth Cutshaw, Honorary Consul of India at
Atlanta will inaugurate the two-day event as a special guest.
The two-day event is a very special occasion for the Telugu
community living in and around Atlanta. In the early years,
Telugu families used to meet at individual houses. The growing
needs of the community necessitated the local Telugu families to
start an organization in 1981 and today TAMA has taken the shape
of a vibrant organization.
Over the years TAMA has grown and has become an integral part of
the Indian Community in Metro Atlanta and an active participant
not only in the Indian community but also in the mainstream
community. TAMA organizes events to celebrate major festivals
and organizes a picnic during summer as scheduled activities.
Besides these, several other literary and cultural events go on
like 'Sahiti Sadassu' (literary meet), musical nights,
fund-raising programs, celebrating various festivals, Kid fest,
etc. Telugu movies are also screened by TAMA periodically. A
school for young kids 'Mana Badi', organized with the support of
several volunteers, is held on every Sunday at two different
places; the Hindu Temple of Atlanta and at the Norcross Library.
TAMA is on the forefront in helping the community back in India
and in particular Andhra Pradesh in various ways in times of
distress during earthquakes and tsunami. On July 29, TAMA, as
part of its silver jubilee celebrations, presented scholarships
at the Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad worth Rs. 15 lakhs ($
30,000) to 116 SSC and Intermediate students from all districts
of the State in the presence of Dada Palke awardee Akkineni
Nageswara Rao, Jnana Peeth awardee and poet Dr. C. Narayana
Reddy and Avula Manjulata, Vice chancellor of Telugu university.
Speaker after speaker at Ravindra Bharati scholarships function
showered accolades on TAMA for its gesture towards needy
students at home. said TAMA has done a great job. “This noble
project will inspire other Telugu associations in USA,” said Dr.
Nageswara Rao. “We are glad to be part of this great ceremony.
It is always nice to see NRIs doing something for the
motherland. Nobody has done this before and this will be
remembered forever and set an example to other NRI communities.”
TAMA’s efforts to establish a Telugu language Studies program at
Emory University is also receiving encouragement. The community
needs to raise $150,000. Emory University will match the
remaining funds to enable the beginning of an academic program
that can draw international attention to Telugu language and
Culture and serve the needs of our future generations.
Everyone in the Telugu community appreciates the efforts of the
2006 TAMA executive committee for the job done in inspiring and
awakening the Telugu community to the needs of the community
here and back in India.
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