The Tri-state Telugu community witnessed another delightful, delicious and entertaining extravaganza from Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) under the leadership of the President Vikram Jangam. TLCA organized the Sankaranti Sambaralu in Hindu Temple Auditorium Flushing on 21st January, 2012. Braving the biting cold and the snow, the Telugu community flanked the auditorium in large numbers to enjoy the non-stop 8 hour entertainment program. Hey, it is New York! Elements cannot stop us from anything!!
The entire program ran on the theme of Sankranthi. The auditorium was beautifully decorated with banners, backdrops depicting pictures of Muggulu, Haridasu, Gangireddu and more particularly the Bommala Koluvu.. The program started with a Prayer song by Pranav Paranji and then with the dance performance glorifying the Sun God choreographed by Savitri Ramanand. The item was followed by folk and cine dances and classical dance coordinated by Uma Putani, Sujani verma, Padmini and Padma ellisetty, Rishi Kudaravalli and Dipcy Eranki. TLCA proud to showcase the excellent talent displayed by the younger generation of our community and bows down with reverence to the Gurus of classical dance, classical music in the tri-state area for keeping these traditions alive and transcending to the next generations
Then started the Sankranthi Ballet, which is the designed by Vikram Jangam. The ballet detailed the whys and whats of Sankranti in song, dance and prose. Srinivas Guduru and Krishna Kumari Avala supported by Kruti and Deepti Avala facilitated the show and narrated the importance of the festival.
The choreographers Uma Putani, Anu Kudaravalli did a great job coordinating the dances. The kids dressed up in traditional attire danced to the numbers. The Haridasus and Basavanna were impressive. Kids in the ages up to 5 years were brought up on to the dais for Bhogipallu during the show, while Priests chanting mantras and blessed the children. The audience was thrilled as they visualized the real Sankranti at the doorsteps of New York.
The guests broke for a delicious Sankranti dinner and savored the authentic delicacies. The post dinner program kicked off with the priests from Baldwin Sai Temple blessed the crowd and explained the religious importance of the Sankranthi Festival.
The disciples of classical dance Gurus of New York Sadhana Paranji and Satya Pradeep performed to the TLCA theme song conceived by President Vikram. The song praises the Telugu NRIs for their wisdom knowledge and their invaluable contributions to the motherland and the US. It praises the poets, writers, dancers, singers who sing the praises of Telugu Thalli and contribute to the enrichment of our cultural values.
Aruna Subba Rao, a noted parodist, recipient of various awards like Rashtriya Vikas Shiromani, Jaana pada Gaana Kokila, Parody Lady, Shata Geeta Sudha Lahiri, and holder of Limca Book of World Records for singing 100 songs in 100 min took the stage by storm with her parody singing. New Yorkers witnessed an amazing talent never seen before.
It was a memorable day for Telugus for falicitating the noted Oncologist, Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori for his being selected as one of the top doctors in US for FIVE YEARS in a row and his service to the humanity is acclaimed across the world. He received the citation from TLCA only to encourage the new generation. TLCA has followed Dr. Nori's ideals and recognized the bright viz kid Bhargava Chitti who is a semifinalist in the 2012 The Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS).
Later in the show noted TV actor Indraneel ( INDRA/DHARMA) performed a stupendous classical dance. Sudha Krishna and Sagar sung melodies from Tollywood movies and enthralled the audience.
The heart throb of the youth, glamour boy, Uday Kiran was a hit with the audience. he danced to his hit number, Gajuwaaka pilla and surprised the audience by singing it himself. His melodious voice coupled with dances with his co-artists, Indraneel, Sagar and Sudha received huge cheers from the audience.
Election officer Mandava Nageswara Rao introduced the newly elected Executive Committee to the members. The current secretary Nagendra Gupta took the office as President of the Association and administered oath to the new elected committee. Treasurer Krishna Sri Gandham presented the financials.
President Vikram Jangam thanked the members for their sustained support through out the year and the donors for their unstinted support for his programs through out the year. He also thanked the Executive Committee for their work in making every program a thunderous success. Secretary Nagendra Gupta presented Vote of Thanks.
