IndiaPost.com - Ugadi Telugu Mela and Youth Show

FREMONT: The Bay Area Telugu Association (BATA) organized the Sixth Annual Ugadi Telugu Mela and Youth Talent Show on March 24 at Sunnyvale Temple Community Center, celebrating the "sarvajit nama samvatsaram."

The program was presented by Ravi Tax Services (Grand Sponsor). The Platinum Sponsors were BharatFamily.com & Channel Real Estate and Mortgage. Gold Sponsors were Precious Dental Care and Promoters Remit2India.com.

This year's talent show had more than 90 entries in various categories with over 250 children participating in sub-junior, junior and senior categories. The stage was resplendent with children wearing traditional dresses and costumes from Andhra Pradesh and performing to classical, popular folk and film songs.

The Youth Talent show was very efficiently and professionally organized and conducted by Srilu Veligeti, Vijaya Aasuri and Rajesh Chavli. The hall was well decorated and adorned with traditional Telugu toranalu, mango leaves. Several vendors such as tax consultants, Telugu TV channels, boutiques, mehndi etc were set up at the Mela.

The committee organized games and competitions for kids and adults in carom, chess, painting etc. In addition carnival games with prize giveaways for winners were also available for the kids. BATA advisory board member and Cultural Chair Vijaya Aasuri said the program was developed to showcase and celebrate Telugu culture while entertaining the audience.

The first performance was an ensemble of songs celebrating the diversity of culture and languages in India with kids from 4 to 17 years old dancing to songs from different states in the traditional costumes from the state. The performance was choreographed by Vijaya Aasuri and Rajesh Chavli. BATA youth performed a skit to show how their involvement in cultural activities has made their parents proud by helping them learn Telugu language and be proud of their culture and heritage. The skit was conceived and directed by Aparna Pasumarthy and Kalyan Kattamuri. The skit was followed by Alalu Kuriyaga classical dance.

A hilarious comedy Chakaravakam lo Iliyana encounter enthralled the audience with some fine acting and comical situations. The play was directed and written by Kalyan Kattamuri. There was an exquisite dance Uppongele Godavari by Sridevi and Sireesha. The finale was set to some fast foot tapping hits from recent movies. The songs were introduced in a unique fashion with a stand up comic routine by Srilu and Kamesh.

The program was followed by announcement of Youth Talent Show results and prize distribution by the sponsors of the event Ravi Tax Services, Remit2India.com, BharatFamily.com, Channel Real Estate and Mortgage and Precious Dental Care. Vijaya Aasuri invited the newly elected Executive Vice President of TANA Jayaram Komati onto the stage and said that BATA feels proud to support an individual who has meant so much to the organization and the Bay Area Telugu Community.

Jayaram Komati thanked the Bay Area community for their overwhelming support to him in the election process and promised to work to make TANA a vibrant organization. Sateesh Chilukuri, Chairman Board of Trustees for TANA speaking on the occasion said that this year was a historical year for the Bay Area Telugu community with four residents of the community being present in the Executive Committee of TANA.