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ATA Day Celebrations in Chicago

05.03.2008

ATA (American Telugu Association) celebrated "ATA Day" in cooperation with TAGC (Telugu Association of Greater Chicago) at The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, IL on Saturday, May 3, 2008. The celebrations commenced with Social Hour. Delicious Andhra Snacks were served During the Social Hour where attendees had the opportunity to mingle with each other and with the ATA Organizers. This ‘ATA DAY’ celebration is a prelude in preparation for the GALA Event, namely, the 10th Conference and Youth Convention to be conducted from July 3rd to July 5th at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The program was a great fiesta for more than 400 proud Telugu Families enjoying the occasion to help perpetuate our cultura l heritage.

Mrs. Rohini Bokka (ATA Trustee) welcomed all the Attendees and the ATA Dignitaries. The Day’s Cultural Program started with prayer, a Ganapathi Slokam by two youngsters- Prakash and Santosh Tata. followed by lighting of Jyoti by The President – Elect of ATA, Mr. Jitendra Reddy. Mrs. Kamala Chimata and Mr. Ramana Murty Yedavalli anchored the event as Masters of Ceremony.

The artists as well as the audience wore colorful traditional Andhra dresses and costumes reflecting our culture and tradition. The Cultural Program continued with ‘Sringara Lahari’, a Semi Classical Dance presented by the Students of Hema Yeddanapudi’s Kuchipudi Dance Academy – Sahiti Gangavarapu, Kavya Koneru, Nitya and Nidhi Devarapalli, Akshata Gunda, Divya Jaasti, Sneha Koderu and Supriya Bhuvanagiri.

The Dance Item from the movie “Varsham” by Reya was really exciting. This was followed by an impressive dance item from the Movie “Nee Sneham” by students of Shoba Tammana’s Kuchipudi Natya Vihar- Sruthi and Pranathi Mereneedi, Sasi Pandravada and Sruthi Mothkur. Ronit Akurati proved to the audience that he can dance better than Chranjeevi by performing at his best for the Song “ Hello Hyderabad “ from the Movie “ Shanka Dada Zindabad.

The Skit - ‘ATA Sambaralu’ was hilarious depicting casual conversation of Telugu folks at Shamshabad Airport waiting to leave to America to attend the 10th ATA Conference at Newark, NJ. Shyam Pappu, Rohini Bokka and Ramana Murty Yedavalli were the participants in this skit each trying to portray the local telugu slang. Anup Kilani performed a Dance from the Movie ‘Yama Donga’. The movie actor who became popular in the Movie #Alex” Mr. Harinath Palakcharla entertained the audience by rendering several poems from Bharatham and Bhagavatham. The variety dance medley “ Kathak” by students of Sheetal Danani of Tarana Dance Academy drew lots of applause.

At the break around 8:30 PM Dinner was served. Delicious Andhra Vegetarian Food was catered by “Cool Mirchi”

After the dinner, a Gala Musical Program was presented with live orchestra. The singers were Prasad Kommaraju, Kaushik Ram Kommaraju, and Alka . The group entertained the gathering with old as well as new movie songs from 9:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight.

A total of $100,000 in donations were collected. Following are some of the ATA organizers who are responsible for making this function a grand success.

Dr.Chandra Reddy ATA President, Jithendar Reddy ATA President Elect, Harinath Pulicharla International Coordinator. Hanumanth Reddy ATA Founder, Bharathi Pulluru ATA Trustee & ATA Treasurer, Chandra Sekhar Reddy ATA Trustee, Rohini Bokka ATA Trustee Harinder R. Puliya ATA Trustee, Narendar R. Chemarla ATA Regional Coordinator, Dr. Sreeram Reddy ATA Foundation Committee Chair, Satyanarayana Reddy ATA Archives Committee Chair, Karunaker Madhavaram ATA Building Committee Chair, and Chalma R. Bandaru: ATA Trust Fund Committee Chair.

Dr. Balaram Pammi, Convener of 10th ATA Conference gave details of the conference and personally extended the invitation to every one present.

The program concluded with vote of thanks by Ramana Murty Yedavalli.