Telugu Association of Greater Chicago celebrates Ugadi and Srirama Navami

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Chicago IL: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC), founded in 1971, the first Telugu organization in North America celebrated Ugadi and Srirama Navami on April 16th, 2022 at Hemmens Auditorium, Elgin, Illinois.

More than 700 members of the Indian community attended the Ugadi event, according to a press release from Asian Media USA.

A prayer song by singer Ramya, a lamplighting ceremony by Uma Avadhuta, president of TAGC 2022, jumpstarted the event. Cultural Chair Prasanna Kandukuri and Co chairs Swetha Chinnari, Sireesha Rebbapragada and Shailja Bethi with all the board members were present on the stage. Anchor Lavanya Guduru came all the way from Atlanta to host the show. Unni Vitta also accompanied Lavanya for hosting the show.

Cultural programs provided a variety of entertainment in which  300 kids and Adults participated. Few highlights of the programs were Ramayana, Hanuman Chalisa, Lazy dance by adults, Ugadi theme dances and Senior’s dance.

The Cultural committee with the help of other members of the Board, Archana Podduturi and Sirisha Madduri, ran the program very smoothly. Swaralaya team of singers Ravi Thokala, Mani Thellapragada, Sowjanya and Archana entertained the crowd.

Youth Committee chair Prashanth thanked youth volunteers for their hard work till the end to help all the areas membership, cultural and food services to finish on time.

Decoration was one of the highlights of the event. Star Beam event planners decorated the hall and the lobby with photo booth portraying Ramanavami. Decoration chair Neelima Cheikycharla planned the decoration. The membership desk was managed by membership chair Madhavi Konakalla, treasurer Santosh Konduri and Jt. treasurer Sridhar Alavala. Other Board members Siva Desu, Shashi Chava, Srikanth Bethi also helped the team.

Food Committee Chair Srinivas Adepu and co-chair Ramakanth Jonnala with team Vijay Beeram, Ramana Kalva, Prashanth Madavarapu and other volunteers planned the serving of dinner for the large crowd accomplishing it in the allocated time. Dinner was catered by Krishna Caterers of Naperville. People enjoyed the Centerpiece fountains with Ugadi pachadi and Panakam, Bhakshalu, vada, mango pulihora etc.

Apart from Cultural programs on completing 50 years, TAGC released a souvenir book showing the journey of the organization. Manasa Lathupalli and team put together 50 years memories. Venkat Gunuganti 2021 president released the book along with long time sponsors and past Executive committee members and Souvenir committee members.

TAGC president Uma Avadhuta thanked Past President Venkat Gunuganti and President elect Parameshwar Yarasani, Executive Committee, Board of directors and Volunteers who worked hard for months, sponsors, donors and all the youth volunteers as well as all the participants, parents, teachers and guests for their enthusiastic show and support throughout the evening.