22 January 2020
USA

Bay Area Telugu Association (BATA) celebrated Sankranti festival in a grand style by hosting various activities such as cooking (వంటల పోటీలు), Muggulu (రంగవల్లి ముగ్గుల పోటీలు), Bommala Koluvu, Melodious Paatala Pallaki (పాటల పల్లకి) musical concert, Classical dance ballet, Folk dances, popular on-stage game show and foot tapping dances. Over 1000 guests attended the glittering event, which started at 1:00 pm and went until 10:00 pm. Tollywood singer Anjana Soumya’s live concert was one of the highlights.

The auditorium was decorated promoting ethnic and festival look of Sankranti, and the main stage had multicolor backdrops and colorful kites. The decorations coupled with the traditional outfits by the audience, participants & BATA volunteers reflected a festive atmosphere.

The program started with “Paatala Pallki” – Live music concert by talented singers from BATA Karaoke team, audience thoroughly enjoyed melodious super hit songs. Students from San Ramon “Paatasala” Telugu School (Initiative by Telugu Times and BATA to promote and teach Telugu language) presented a comedy skit “Anukunna di Okkati Ainadhi Okkati”. It was amazing to watch the kids motivated to learn Telugu language. Paatasala is running successfully in Bay Area with 6 locations & with over 250 students.

In parallel, cooking competitions for adults (Super Chef), kids (Little Chef), colorful Rangavalli contest, Art contest, Essay writing were organized. Kids got the ingredients from home and prepared a food item of their choice on the spot without any assistance from parents. The kids demonstrated their cooking prowess. Super Chef displayed the cooking talents of men and women. The finished Rangavalli was a sight to see and brought nostalgic memories of India.

The main cultural program started at 5:00pm. Vijaya Aasuri (BATA Advisor) officially kicked off the evening cultural program by inviting all the kids for “BhogiPallu”. The congregation of kids & devotional songs by parents and grandparents made it seem like a big family gathering – “VasudhaikaKutumba”. The elders gave the blessings to all the kids. In addition, there was “Gobbemmalu” dance with all the women dressed in colorful traditional sarees.

Association of Indo American’s (AIA) also celebrated India Republic day. Elected official attended the event and conveyed their wishes. Consulate General of India Ambassador Sanjay Panda was the chief guest. Others attending the event include Jayaram Komati, Lily Mei (Mayor Fremont), Raj Salwan (Vice Mayor of Fremont), Supervisor Dave Cortese, Raj Chahal (Councilmember of Santa Clara) and AIA members.

The guests enjoyed dances presented by the kids & patriotic songs They also conveyed Sankranti & India republic day greetings to all attendees and congratulated AIA & BATA teams for organizing the festival.

Next to follow was “విజయనగర సామ్రాజ్య స్థాపన” ( vijayanagara sAmrAjya sThapana) historical play on how the kingdom was formed by Harihara Rayalu, Bukka Rayulu on the advise of Vidhya Ranya Swami. And the episode how “Andhra MahaVishnu” inspired Sri Krishana Deva Rayalu to write epic poem “Amukta Malyada” (Telugu: ఆముక్తమాల్యద - means a garland of pearls). Popular stage artist Dr.Ravi Naralasetti written & directed it.

Next to follow were high energy and foot tapping dances by little toddlers and BATA youngsters to the latest super hit songs from Tollywood. BATA team members worked hard in training the little kids in various locations like San Jose, Cupertino, Fremont & San Ramon etc. All the most popular dance songs in the last decade (2010 to 2020) were presented.

The highlight of the event was singing program by Tollywood popular singer Anjana Soumya, she presented super duper hit songs from 70’s till latest chart busters. The audience thoroughly enjoyed all the songs and the kids danced and had a great time to the foot tapping music.

There was a huge support for this event from the businesses. The program’s associate sponsor was “Sanjay TaxPro”, You Smile dental was “Powered by” sponsor, Grand Sponsor was “PNG Jewelers”, Platinum Sponsor was realtor “Srini Goli” & Gold Sponsor was “APEX Consulting.

Other sponsors include Paatasala, Azad financial srvcs, Realtor Sagar Kotha & AopS Academy & Realtor Aishwarya Koneru. Mr Biyaniz was the food sponsor.

Media partners – Virijallu Telugu Radio & Telugu Times.

Speaking on the occasion Yaswanth Kudaravalli (President) thanked BATA team members & all the volunteers for their hard work and making the event a grand success.

Yaswanth introduced BATA executive committee consisting of: Harinath Chikoti (Vice President), Sumanth Pusuluri (Secretary), Kondal Rao (Treasurer) & Arun Reddy (Jt. Secretary)
“Steering Committee” includes, Ravi Thiruveedula, Kamesh Malla, Kalyan Kattamuri & Sirisha Battula.

“Cultural Directors” includes Sridevi Pasupuleti, Srilu Veligeti and Taraka Deepti.

“Nominated Committee” Prasanth Chinta,Varun Mukka, & Hari Sannidi.

BATA “Advisory Board” Jayaram Komati, Vijaya Aasuri, Veeru Vuppala, Prasad Mangina, Karun Veligeti and Ramesh Konda congratulated the team in making the event a grand success.

BATA team thanked the sponsors for their continued support and recognized them.