North America Telugu Society (NATS) organized NTR Birthday Celebrations in Los Angeles in a grand way. Over 800 people attended the event to celebrate their beloved actor turned leader's 89th Birthday celebrations that were held at Cabrillo High School auditorium in Long Beach .
Hon'ble Minister of State for Human Resources Smt. Daggubati Purandeswari attended as the chief guest for the event and was delighted to meet all NRIs who still love NTR after all these years and delivered a passionate speech about her father and it was greeted by huge applause throughout the speech.
"NTR is not only an icon and a celebrity, his life is a book one can learn a lot from. Discipline, Passion and Love are the three key characteristics that made NTR who he is", said Smt. Purandeswari in her speech.
Smt.Purandeswari shared her child hood memories with her father and also talked about the special bond her Dad and Mom shared'. She recollected her memories about how disciplined NTR was while doing mythological films and mentioned that she and all her siblings were scared to enter in to his room when he was doing roles like ‘Dhuryodhana’ and ‘Ravanasurudu’. She mentioned that as NTR is so famous for roles of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama people expect even God to appear like him if God ever comes to the Earth.
"He always sought the path to success in the face of failure" said the minister speaking of his values and ethics and the way he instilled them in his children. She concluded her speech by stating that she is fortunate enough to be N.T.R’s daughter and she never forgets the fact that all love and blessings she receives are due to the fact that she is the daughter of N.T.R. She inaugurated the photo exhibition of NTR which displayed over 150 rare pictures of NTR right from his childhood, movies and political career.
Ravi Madala, President of NATS, presided the event and described the various service activities that NATS is involved him. He requested the guests to spread the messsage about NATS helpline 800-4-TELUGU that could help change lives of NRIs in case of unfortunate incidents. NATS Board Members Dr. Madhu Korrapati and Dr. Veeraiah Chundu announced the formation of NATS Los Angeles chapter. NATS Executive Committee member Prasad Papudesi thanked IYANA Founder Lakshmi Chundu, TASC president Vijay Bhaskar Nekkanti, Tri-Valley Telugu Association and all the volunteers for their support in making this event a huge success.
Chandu Nangineni and Nandan Potluri representing Los Angeles Telugu community described NTR as a legend who, 25 years after his movie career and 17 years after his death, still lives in every heart that represents Telugu pride. Also said N.T.R does not bring to any group or political party and every Telugu person owns him as their own and N.T.R’s name will be remembered as long as Telugu race and Telugu culture exists.
Ghazal Maestro Dr. Ghazal Srinivas entertained the audience with his ghazals that described family relationships and love. His ghazals brought back childhood memories of everyone, touched their sensitive side and made them emotional.
Cultural activities by performers of all ages coordinated by Srinivas Killada with NTR theme raised the energy levels and thrilled the packed auditorium. Old NTR duets performed by Chandrasekhar Ganduri and Kavitha Garikapati were the highlight for the night. Pravasandrula dance composed by Vidya Tadanki and Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam dance by Simi Valley kids were fantastic. Monoaction by Venkat Kommineni, Classical dance by Amogha Koka, Adhurs dance by Rohith Chimata, Brindavanam dance by Torrance kids, Slokas by Vikas, NTR songs by Srinivas Killada and Sowjanya, Thrilinga Desam Naadenoy song by the youngest performers, Venkat Alapati's kids Pranav and his siblings, Kavitha presented by Kiran Simhadri and written by Jyothirmai, NTR Medley Group Dance by Simi Valley adults composed by Raju Pagidipati provided non stop entertainment and the audience responded with huge applause.
Dosa Place - Tustin sponsored dinner buffet for this event with lots of tasty varieties. Ram Yarlagadda's ePilupu, which promoted the event was inaugurated by Smt. Daggubati Purandeswari. Shyam Gumdala, Benerjee Sunkavalli, Madhu Bodapati, Kishore garikapati, Sridhar Addanki, Ram Yalamachili, Suresh Babu Ayanampudi, Gowtham Katari, Lakshmi Chimata, Hari Konka, Hari Madala, Pandu Chimata, Ravi Thiruvaipati who were described as "Local Heroes" worked hard in organizing this event.
