Dallas, TX: Rayalaseema Picnic Fall 2015 was held at a grand scale on September 27th, 2015 at the Frisco Commons Park in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas.
This is the 3rd Rayalaseema picnic being held in Dallas and the picnic has been getting bigger by the year!
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response from the local community for the prior picnics organized in 2014 and 2015, the volunteer organizers made this an ongoing event which helps preserve and propagate the culture and cuisine of Rayalaseema to the next generations in an informal and fun setting.
It was perfect fall weather with a crisp breeze all day. True to the size of Texas, over 1500 guests attended this fun filled event which started out at 10 AM and lasted till sun set.
The majestic pavilions at Frisco Commons Park adorned the banners of DARA to welcome the guests.
The participants started out in the morning with several traditional breakfast options including Dosa with erra karam which was made on-site and Uggani with Merapakaaya bajjilu. Barbeque grills were fired up early so that kids had an option to quickly snack on corn when they got hungry.
There was also cold and flavorful Masala majjiga at everyone’s disposal to gulp down the throats after a spicy snack.
Several kids’ activities and games were then kicked off by the games organizers. The unique games organized like ‘Ringu Veyyi-Giftu Kottu’, ‘Moodu kaalla pandem’, ‘Okka Nimisham Telugu’, etc. were recevied postitively and kids enthusiastically lined up to participate. In addition, there were hula-hoops, skipping ropes, tennikoit, throw ball, etc. that kids were seen playing.
The ‘Okka Nimisham Telugu’ game generated a lot of interest and both adults and kids lined up to test their Telugu speaking skills for a full minute without using an English word! Kids also had fun trading the Disney pins which were given out as keep sakes by the organizers.
Another highlight activity of the event was the display of a variety of percussion musical instruments which kids were able to try out and pop out their creativity! There were Orchestra bells, Congas, Tambourines, Cymbals, Functional drum sets and several others that the kids had a blast playing.
While the volunteer chefs were busy making traditional Raagi mudda at the venue, the pavilion was getting ready for the “Rayala vindu” with traditional dishes being brought by the volunteers and guests.
Here are some of the Rayalaseema specialties that were served for lunch: Raagi mudda, Naatu kodi Pulusu, Lamb curry, Pullagura, Pachi pulusi, Pulihora, Biryani, Maamidikaaya pappu, Nune vankaya koora, Rasam, Sambar, and several other vegetable curries and chutneys.
All the guests enjoyed the scrumptious seema delicacies by forgetting their calorie count restrictions for the day and got lost in the savory bliss! It was then time for dessert and everyone was eager to lay their hands on the delightful treats that ranged from Pramannam to Ravva laddus to Mysorepaks to Boondi laddus.
For the fruit lovers, there were freshly cut Water melon wedges which vanished in seconds from the fruit table as they were great thirst quenchers on a bright spring day.
Guests enjoying the delicious lunch were also treated with a kid’s talent show where local kids were showing off their singing and dancing talents. There was also a flash mob dance event held and kids and adults danced to a collection of popular songs, which kept going till the end of the event.
This was also a good venue for raising awareness of the backwardness and poverty of drought hit areas of Rayalaseema. Pictures and information of the past charity events executed by DARA were displayed at the Picnic.
DARA successfully executed several charity events over the past few years including the Rs.300000 donated to 47 young victims of Madakasira bus accident on 2nd Feb, 2015, Rs.42000 worth of dresses donated to the 106 orphans in Rainbow Home in Anantapur on 21st April, 2015.
DARA was also involved in raising funds and contributed to the local Nepalese association which helped rehabilitate victims of the massive earthquake that hit Nepal in April 2015. A check of $2100 was handed over at the picnic to the representatives of Nepal Society Texas.
Picnic organizers also arranged a Raffle drawing where the funds raised would be used for picnic expenses and for future DARA charity events. Raffle gifts included Apple TV, Kindle Fire, Chromecasts and other gadgets.
It was then time for a warm cup of tea/coffee accompanied by Masala borugulu which were made at the venue in authentic street style which reminded many guests of the days back in the streets of Rayalaseema.
While the guests enjoyed their evening snack, they continued to be entertained by kids as young as 4 years showing their talents.
“All good things must come to an end” and so did this special spring picnic day filled with fun, excitement, camaraderie and gratification.
In the vote of thanks, kids thanked all the guests, volunteers, sponsors and supporters of the DARA picnics.
DARA would like to sincerely thank all the guests for taking valuable time out of their lives and being at the picnic. DARA would also like to thank all the sponsors and supporters that made it possible to execute such a fabulous picnic.
The expectations are now set sky high for the follow on Rayalaseema picnics/events and everyone is now looking forward for the next event.
For more details about the event and for updates about future events, please visit and like the FB page:
Link below has pictures from the picnic: tinyurl.com/o5ykc38
Here’s the picnic event FB page with more pictures/videos from the event uploaded by guests: www.facebook.com/events/1630687483836383
