A day of entertainment and fun for Telugu Families to demonstrate unity, celebrate culture and drive community service.
Telugu Festival conducted by Chicago Telugu Association on July 3rd 2010, brought the Telugu people in and around Chicago together on one avenue demonstrating unity, celebrating culture and success of the organization’s service activities.
Telugu Festival 2010, annual conference of Chicago Telugu Association has started off with the “Maa Telugu Talliki” song performed by kids and followed by several patriotic song performances like “Desam Manade Rashtram Manade” by kids. The guest list includes Hon. Education Minister Mr. D. Manikya Varaprasada Rao, Mr. Michael Kelly, Mayor of Bartlett, Mr. T. Krishna Prasad, Director, AP Police Communications, Mr. Suresh Menon, Indian Consul, Mr Sri Donthi, VP and CIO Pepsico, Dr. Surinder Nand, President Apna Gahr, top tollywood comedian Ali, noted tollywood artists Kamna Jethalmani, Siya, Surekha Vani, Goutham Raju, Kota Shankar Rao, TV9 Mimicry Artist Mr. Ravi Bhaviri, Tollywood singers Simha, Usha and and others.
Large number of Telugu families gathered at this grand event. Telugu Festival was attended by more than 1200 telugu people for unmatched entertainment. This was a great event and huge success and great display of Telugu Youth which was working on no caste and no religion basis.
Honorable Chief Minister Mr. K. Rosaiah garu sent his good wishes and message.
Morning session included programs like Patriotic Song by kids (Ravi Tokala and team), Meet and Greet Stars, Comedy Show (Tollywood Comedians), Kids Anjalai Dance performance, Kids Patrotic Song Desam Manade, Rashtram Manade, meet and greet stars and Meet and Greet Hon. Education minister Mr. Manikya Varaprasada Rao. Afternoon session included the programs like Musical Afternoon with Praveen Jaligama, Geetanjali Musical Dance, Moguds and Pellams, Ladies Comedy Skit, Dance from Namo Venkatesa Movie, classical dance performances , Dance Drama Adapilla Jeevitham, Ramayanam Cinemayanama, Panchakattu Dance Medly, Veena Performance, Kuchipudi dance performance and Fashion Show.
Evening session started with grand welcome song (“Swagatham Palukotondi CTA Kovelaa..”) specially written, composed and choreographed for Telugu Festival. Chicago Telugu Association executive members presented the brief history and activities of CTA. Conference coordinator Mr. Phani Ramineni and President Mr. Vijay Venigalla welcomed the audience. CTA Secretary Mr. Praveen Bhumana presided over the evening session. Mr. Praveen Moturu briefed about the CTA’s objectives, vision and how CTA is setting an example to rest of the organizations as well as serving as a role model for service activities. CTA Committee members Mrs. Vijaya Koduru, Mr. Nagarjuna Gupta and Laxminarayana Tatineni shared views on what CTA has been doing for the past two years.
Mr. Phani Ramineni in his message thanked the supporters of Telugu festival as always the objective behind the conference of is to build a no caste and no-religion based platform for Telugu People living in Chicago. It was a true festival like environment where the facility large number of Telugu people came in Traditional attires.
Chief Guest Message at Telugu Festival
Hon. Education Minister, Mr. Dokka Manikya Varaprasada Rao was the chief guest at Telugu Festival. Several dignitaries who attended telugu festival includes, Mr. Michael Kelly, Mayor of Bartlett, Mr. T. Krishna Prasad, Director, AP Police Communications, Mr. Mehar Kumar, Ex. Director Visu International, Mr. Ratnakar, Director APIIC, and others.
Speaking on this occasion Mr. Manikya Varaprasad Rao has read out the special message from Hon. Mr. K. Rosaiah garu. In his message chief minister as commended Chicago Telugu Association for its service oriented activities and wished good luck and promised full support.
In his speech, Mr. Manikya Varaprasada Rao congratulated CTA and highly praised CTA for setting a good example with its service to the community. Hon. Minister has emphasized the importance of telugu culture and language. He has appealed all the families in USA to teach their mother tongue and assured that his government is encouraging use of Telugu Language.
Speaking on this occasion Mr. Manikya Varaprasada Rao also talked about the education system in Andhra Pradesh and how the new policies are giving the better results in education. He has informed the audience that current AP Govt and Central Govt are giving highest importance to the education and he appealed to the Telugu Community to extend their help by providing support for education to poor people in Andhra Pradesh.
India Consul Mr. Suresh Menon has commended CTA’s remarkable services to the community. Bartlett Mayor Mr. Michael Kelly as highly praised the Indian Community for its contribution to village of Bartlett. Mr. Krishna Prasad, IG Police Communications has congratulated CTA and said its noble activities are big help to community here in USA and also in AP. APNA Ghar president Dr. Surinder Nand commended the CTA for its service activites.
Educational Seminars at Telugu Festival
Educational seminars were provided to the community in the afternoon session that included Importance of Will and Estate Planning, College Planning for Parents and Students, Career Progression, Social Services available to community, spiritual session including how to empower the self and think positive, and Entrepreneurship and Business Links with India.
CTA Awards 2010 and Honors
Chicago Telugu Association has presented Most Outstanding Telugu Person award to Mrs. Durga Rani Chunduri, Director, Hand in Hand, Inc. Hon. Education Minister has handed over the award.
PepsiCo CIO Mr. Sri Donthi gave the Entrepreneur of the Year was given to Mr. Kishore Khandavalli, CEO Itech US, Inc.
Popular Film Actress of yester years Mrs. Raja Sulochana was honored at Telugu Festival.
Top Entertainment at Telugu Festival
Evening session started with grand welcome song (“Swagatham Palukotondi CTA kovelaa..”) specially written, composed and choreographed for Telugu Festival. The lyrics of song were so touching all the attendees gave a long standing applause at the end of this song. This song was presented on stage by popular Choreographer Ramji.
Top Tollywood comedian Ali gave sterling performance with audience was on their feet during his performance for “Ringa Ringa” song. Noted comedians Surekha Vani, Goutham Raju and Kota Shankar Rao presented several comedy skits.
Noted mimicry artist Ravi Bhaviri made mesmerizing mimicry performance by imitating several movie stars and politicians. Tollywood Singers Simha and Usha presented several super hit songs covering several popular items. Several kids moved to the front of the stage and danced even at midnight for several songs.
Tollywood actresses Kamna Jethalmani and Siya gave sizzling performances for several super hit songs. It was a non-stop entertainment for six continuous hours. Event was closed with grand finale medley specially designed by Ramji and group.
Authentic food was served during lunch/dinner and several visitors’s enjoyed shopping at several exhibits.
At the end members of CTA remember and dedicated themselves for the objectives of Chicago Telugu Association. Organizing Committee of Telugu Festival was expressed their extreme happiness over the mega success of Telugu Festival.
