Chicago IL: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC- First Telugu association in North America) celebrated Makara Sankranti and India Republic Day with Chicago land area Telugu families at the HTGC Rama Temple Auditorium, Lemont IL 60439.The event was a grand success with an overwhelming response from the Telugu community with over 1100 guests in attendance. The event was conducted on 26th January, 2019 from 2:30PM to 10PM. TAGC Board decided to do this event with all local talent promoting the Telugu culture, traditions and encouraged youth to preserve traditions.
TAGC President Ramu Billakanti garu welcomed and wished good health, prosperity and wealth to TAGC Members and all Telugu People across the globe. President garu recognized and thanked all Sponsors, Volunteers and encouraged to take membership by all attendees. According to Membership committee chair Mr. Venkat Gunuganti, the Event received tremendous positive response with over 1100 people attending from distant places even when the day saw negative temperatures with 4-5inch snow. Cultural Head Uma Avadhuta mentioned that the event showcased 36 programs with over 340 participants.
Event Started with Lighting Lamp by Ramu Billakanti (President), Venkat Gunuganti (Secretary), Praveen Vemulapalli (President-Elect), Uma Avadhuta (Cultural Chair & Jt Secretary) and other board members. It then followed by Lord Ganesha prayer and several programs & shows designed around Sankranthi and Republic Day Theme. Each and Every program thoroughly entertained audience and several of them shared great feedback with the board members. Chicago Local singers entertained with variety of songs which were liked by all sections of the audience. Sever Kids went on to the stage and started dancing to their songs.
Audience were enthusiastic to see all decorations throughout the Auditorium. Bommalla Koluvu, Kite decoration, Harvest Crop theme were special attractions according to Decorations Committee Chair Mrs. Vani Yetrintala. She thanked Saumya Bojja who did all the decoration work for TAGC. There was also a competition (Muggula potti) on Sankranthi theme and winners were given Prizes. There was also a Mehendi or Gorintaku FREE for all TAGC Members. TAGC Sankranti cultural Celebration also included delicious dinner that included 10 items which includes Medhu Vada, Pongal, Pulav Rice, Phool Makhani curry, Pizza for kids. Several Volunteers led by Food Chair Mr. Parameshwara Yarasani has streamlined the process and provided food for more than 1100 guests within an hour. TAGC Board thanked Bawarchi restaurant for providing a tasty and delicious food at a nominal price
Few Highlights at the Event
· Sankranti village backdrop Decoration by Saumya Bojja
· Free Gorintaaku (Mehindi) for TAGC Members
· Muggulapoteelu – Sarees for Winners
· 30 Kids Fashion Show around Sankranthi Theme
· Musical Performances by Chicago Singers Kaasyap Boddapati, Archana Vuppulancha and Madhuri Durga
· Festive delicacies (Pongal Rice) by Bawarchi Biryanis Naperville
All the board members, various committee chairs/co-chairs, volunteers under the direction of the current President Mr. Ramu Billakanti worked hard with dedication, passion and great enthusiasm to make TAGC 2019 first event grand successful and memorable with festive experience to guests and participants who attended the event. Youth Volunteers helped in the event in membership validation, ticket distribution and Food serving. The event was helped by several volunteers which help in smooth execution
Finally, TAGC President Ramu Billakanti thanked and congratulated Cultural Committee Chair Uma Avadhuta, Co- chairs Neelima Cheikyacharla, Archana Reddy Podduturi, Madhavi Kondam, Secretary Venkat Gunuganti, Presient Elect Praveen Vemulapalli, Treasurer Vijay Beeram, Jt Treasurer Ranga Reddy Lenkala, EC Member Anji Reddy Kandimalla, Food Committee Chair parameshware Yarasani, Decoration Chair Vani Yetrintala, Hospitality Chair Swetha Janamanchi, Board Members Srinivas Kandru, Sampath Sangem, Santosh Konduri, Rohit Akula, Naveen Aduma, Eeshwar Gumidyala, Manasa Lattupally, Bindu Gongati, all the MC’s (Shantan Toodi, Laxminarayana Ponnaganti, Radha Krishna Kotrakonda and Pranathi Kaligotla), Singers and Several TAGC Volunteers.
