"tirunALLivigO, tirunALLivigO, tirunALLivigO,
telugu amerikA taruNavEdika, tirunALLivigO,
taraliramDOy, taraliramDOy, taraliramDOy!
tallidamDrulArA, tanayatanayulArA!
tellanimanasula teluguvArA!
vidyOtAmbara velugulArA!"
That was the first stanza of the opening song written by my friend
Sri Tumuluri Prasad of Columbus, Ohio. A great song! Wonderful lyric!
Music was set by Smt. Vinjhamuri (Avasarala) Anasuyadevi. Splendid
music! Dance was performed by Ratna Kumar' and Uma Bharati' troups.
What a wonderful dance!
This was the greatest attraction! The festivals started with a great
beginning!
Time management was still lacking. The organizers tried to allocate time.
I think the speakers, performers, and others took their sweet time. There
was average team work. Hotel accomodations were ok. There were buses
running between the hotels and the convention center all day long.
At times the programs were dull, especially the made in India variety.
Local talent was far superior. I think the organizers should encourage the
local (Made in USA) talents more and should be very selective in bringing
the Made in India type. We have great talent here.
Sobah Nayudu's dance : It was below average. I don't understand why the
choreographer brought cine effects onto the stage. That caused a great deal
of distraction. The whole Kucipudi art was diluted and finally got lost in
the back drops and dazzling lights. I tried my level best to concentrate on
the facial expressions and mudras but the lights and back drops stole my
attention. Especially the Bapu's Andalaramudu and Sampurnaramayanam type
back drops and decorations do not fit the Kucipudi dance. Krishna leela was
the theme written by Sri Balantrapu Rajanikantarao (Rajani) - Sri Krishna
Saranam Mama. Any way there was a Kucipudi item.
That satisfied our hunger for dance, the Telugu dance!
I don't mean to criticize the organizers.
Chitra - Vandemataram Srinivas - This music concert was just good.
Unfortunately their drummer was sick and hospitalized. They somehow managed
to get a local drummer who did a good job. The concert started a bit late.
Chitra sang very well. Jamunarani also joined that group. She sang a
couple of songs (while I was in the hall). They sang too many fast beat
songs. The person playing the synthesizer did a great job. We also had the
Cine Singers singing! That satisfied our hunger for cine songs, the Telugu
Songs! The singers also sang a significant number of Hindi songs! It seems
the youth enjoyed it.
Plays -
(1) appalammatO Date - Skit from Dallas
Written and directed by Srinivas Prabhala
This was good
(2) BAratampai teerpu - Judgement on the Epic from India
Not well received at all!
Were asked to leave the stage by the spectators.
(3) sAvitri savAl - Script by Dwibhasha Rajeshwar Rao
Direction by Vishunbhotla Lakshmanna
This was also good.
(4) maya sabha - Eka patrAbhinayam
By Damaraju Satchidananda Murti of Chicago.
Funny artist. Tried very hard to make the crowds
happy. Failed miserably. Sorry sir! Better luck
next time!
(5) asalu praSna - The Real Question - Drama
Written and Directed by: Vanguri Chitten Raju, Houston
Technical Direction: Pemmaraju Venugopala Rao, Atlanta
What a play! Well done! Hats off! Wonderful theme!
Fantastic and funny dialogues! Well timed! Finished
in approx. 30 min.. Flew like a jet! There is an
important message to all the Telugu Parents and kids here
in the USA. Everyone should read it, watch it, and
stage it whenever and wherever possible. Get the script
right now! This is one of the highlights of the ATA
conference! Exceptional job Vanguri, Pemmaraju, and
other artists and troup! Keep up the great and good work
for ever!
Kavita Sammelanam: Well organized. Good.
Organized by Vanguri and Pemmaraju.
Volga read a poem. That was good.
The greatest attraction was Dr. Undelu Malakondareddy.
He read his ATaveladis at the ATA kavisammELanam.
The title is "mAlakomDanOTa mamcimATa" and it was
published by the Vanguri Foundation. The book was
released that day. Sri Pemmaraju edited this book.
Apara Vemana is this Malakonda. Get this book.
Wonderful collection of great poems. The language is
sweet and easy to understand. The theme fits in the 21
century.
A number of local poets read their sveeya kavitas.
This was a good session also.
I think 5 books were released during this session.
Three of them were published by the Vanguri foundation.
Another book on collection of stories was also released
which was edited by Pemmaraju and published by the
Vanguri foundation. Get this book also.
- Well organized by Pemmaraju and Vanguri
- Time management - great.
Ashtavadhanam by Nagaphani Sarma:
This was another highlight of the conference. The
program started a bit late. Avadhani has a great voice.
He sings well. Overall it was a success. If Sharma is
going to perform in your neighbourhood, don't miss the
Avadhanam!
VeadaVyasa: Conference on Vedas.
Organized by Smt. Sonthi Sarada and Sri Sriram Sonthi.
Sri Achyutarayalu, Sri Kasinadhuni, Sri Vedala
Srinivasacharya, Sri Sonthi Sriram chaired different
sessions. Several good speakers spoke. A variety of
good topics were discussed. This was well-organized.
Politicians on Stage: Too many were invited.
They took too much time.
A lot of time was wasted.
The talks were too long.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. C. Narayanareddy.
Other Programs: Carnatic Vocal Concert, Harikadha, Folk Dance Competition,
Religious Renderings, Dances, Tribal Dances, mimicry by
Master Nagaraj, Janapada Dances, Annamacharya Kirtana
singing, Banjara and Gusadi dances, Kucipudi Dance, Youth
Convention, Visions of India - Fashion Show (Another
Highlight), Business Seminars etc..
Needed: (1) Matrimonial Mediators
(2) Kalyana Vedika
(3) Forum for Senior Citizens
SOUVENIR: MADHURAVANI (madhuravANi)
Editor-in-chief: Dr. Vanguri Chittenraju
Cover page picture: Sri Mantha Lakshmana Murty (nice painting)
Other Editors: Pemmaraju Venugopalarao, Vemuri Venkateswararao,
Balaram Pammi, Tumuluri Prasad, Damaraju Lakshmi,
Tirumalakrishna Desikacharyulu, Vasantalakshmi Puccha, Nagasri
Vanguri, Kanakambabu Ainampudi, and Hanumantharao Vanguri.
They all did a great job.
Some of those better than the best are:
1) prAcInAla pagaDAlu - Tirumala Krushna Desikacharyulu
2) avadhAnAla gOmEdhikAlu - Penugomda Srinivasulu
3) Srungara Bhartruhari - Pemmaraju Venugopalarao
4) rAju kadha - Vanguri Cittenraju
5) evaranukonnArI teluguvADu - Dr. Undela Malakondareddy
6) amtarlOkana - Sri Prasad Tumuluri
7) gavarnamemTAliTee - Sri Mamdapati Satyam
8) anaganagA O rAju - Sri Srinivasa Phanikumar Dokka
9) amerikA kArToonulu - Vanguri Chitten Raju
10) Great Telugu Paintings and Painters
a) S.V. Ramarao
b) Mantha Lakshmana Murthy
c) Pemmaraju Venugopala Rao (Splendid)
d) Balaram Pammi
11) Great Social Service Message
BCT Rural Development and Literacy Movement
by Sri Veluri Venkateswara Rao.
Great cause! Great Service.
Participate folks!
12) Several English poems and articles by youth.
13) Essays on religion.
14) nEnu simhAnnE - Smt. Vinjhamuri Anasuya Devi.
Please read this. Excellent! Short but condensed.
A great writing.
16) Natya Sastramu - Dr. Ponamgi Srirama Apparao
Wonderful article. A nice review on dance.
Ovearll a nice work! Get this souvenir. One should read
the poems, articles, stories, and essays in this issue.
Don't miss.
Special Literary Attractions:
1) Dr. Ponamgi Srirama Apparao
2) Dr. Undelu Malakonda Reddy
3) Dr. Ogeti Parikshit Sarma
4) Volga
5) Vinjhamuri Anasuya
Conclusions: The festivals went very well. About 4K people attended
the function. A couple of children were missing every other
hour but found back any way. Some commotion here and there.
Food was delicious and mouth-watering. They should have
separated the non-vegeterian dishes from the vegeterian
dishes sitting next to each other. I did not have a problem.
But some elderly folks, as I know, did starve. Also, the
food organizers should mark what the dishes are. They did it
on the night of the last day. Thanks. Afterall, it is not
easy to feed 4K people, 6-7 times in two days. Hats off!
Our Youth was the highlight of this convention.
That was brought out into light.
They did a good job in that.
Youth were given several opportunities and responsibilities.
Thanks ATA organizers for this.
I reached Houston on the 4th night and I was supposed to
leave Houston on the 6th afternoon. I missed the flight as I
forgot while watching the Avadhanam. I had a fit!
I had a nice time enjoying the festivals!
---pAlana
PS: They had videotaped the entire program. If you are interested get it.
You can also obtain the souvenir from them. I don't know anything
about the charges.
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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed above are not those of the CAS.
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