Telugu Association of Minnesota popularly known as “TEAM” celebrated this years Deepavali celebrations with grand festivity in Bloomington Minnesota on November 23, 2013.
Despite extreme cold conditions of single digit temperatures with 4 degree wind chill, auditorium was packed with about 1400 attending the TEAM signature event of the year.
TEAM made elaborate arrangement for the event attracting numerous vendors with garment stalls, jeweler stores, banking, financial booths, food stalls made the social hour very attractive and popular hang out spot. Three different food caterers provided verities Telugu food choice throughout the evening.
The Grand Event sponsor of the event was “Reddy Foundation” and the Platinum Sponsor was “RNXT VAJRASYS”.
The evening started with traditional Lakshmi pooja on stage with TEAM committee members, and the priest performing pooja and blessing the TEAM and the community for a prosperous and “warm” Deepavali.
The cultural secretary Sailaja Savanam welcomed the audience for fun filled event with over 200 participants performing for the evening.
There were about 25 programs entertain the audience ranging from classical bharatanatyam, vocal, folk. Dance drama, skits and group remixes of all ages. The digital screen technology with image animation and video mix created the best background simulation for many programs.
As uasual popular movie songs with upbeat Dhamaka performances got thunderous applause and active participation from audience of all ages.
The other programs like Dashavataram by young kids and Peacock serpent dance drama, and a unique classical dance fusion with “Hula Hoop” got all appreciation from the for the extraordinary talent and presentation.
Another high light of the evening was the “Chitralahari” with old and new songs with Dooradarshan advertisement “ Washing powder Norma” stole the heart of the evening. Many of the TEAM committee members and many talented ‘moms and dads’ presented an energizing musical performance.
Apart from cultural activities, TEAM continued the tradition recognizing eminent personalities in the community by presenting “TEAM 2013 Award of Excellence” to a prominent telugu person, Dr. Suresh Kotagal a world renown neurologist.
On behalf of TEAM and Telugu community, TEAM honorary board of director introduced the award winner and TEAM president Surya Duggirala and Vice President Durgaprasad Kunapareddy felicitated the Dr. Suresh Kotagal presenting the award. He Thanked TEAM and community for the award and advice youth and younger kids to engage more in direct personal interaction with parents, and intellectual community, keeping the electronic gadgets away a bit.
TEAM President & VP honored grand sponsor ‘Reddy Foundation’ and Sri. Madhu Reddy and Dr. Jyostna Reddy spoke about the mission and vision of Reddy Foundation and requested the community to join hands to support the charitable cause of the foundation.
The platinum sponsored ‘RNXT VAJRASYS’ were also felicitated and they presented a video to enlighten the community of their mission.
Also the new committee for TEAM 2014 was announced which consists of President - Durgaprasad Kunapareddy, VP - Srikanth Kamojjala, Gen Secretary – Sailaja Savanam, Treasurer – Ramaraju Kanumuri, Cultural Secretary – Sandhya Lankalapalli, Event Secretary – Haritha Chimata, Volunteer Secretary – Laxman Sunk am, Marketing – Maruthi Nallamalli, Media Secretary – Sunil Mendu, Web Secretary – Shashi Palani, Food Secretary – Chittam Reddy. Board of Directors, Venkat Kothur, (Honorary) Hari Pallempati, Sudhir Nandamuru, Surya Duggirala, Raju Danthuluri, Ramesh Akula.
The three hour cultural entertainment ended with Vote of Thanks by Vice President Durga Prasad Kunapareddy Thanked the Sponsors, Volunteers, Group coordinators and choreographers. The ever energetic youth joined the well awaited “DJ with open dance floor” in Gym facility which continued for another hour to culminate the Gala event of the year!
The TEAM Deepavali 2013 ended with record number of program entries, record number of vendors and record number of attendees as TEAM committee members and volunteers worked very hard for this grand event.
