Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The American Telugu Association’s silver jubilee convention drew an estimated 10,000 people representing the Telugu community from across the United States, the organizers said last week.
The July 1-3 event at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. showcased the rich Telugu cultural heritage and its growing constituency in the U.S.
An unprecedented number of families thronged the convention center to experience the richness of Telugu culture through contemporary and Tollywood music, pageantry, fashion shows and colorful dance presentations. A contingent of more than 45 Telugu political leaders and eminent personalities and movie stars attended the event.
The convention commenced with a grand gala banquet July 1 with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the celebrations. Rauner issued a proclamation declaring July 2 and 3 as American Telugu Association Day in Illinois and commended the community for keeping up its great cultural heritage. He said if he gets an opportunity, he would love to visit India.
I&B Minister Naidu inspired the families to stay rooted in Telugu culture while appreciating the other languages and cultures. He also stressed that the climate is “ripe and “ideal” in India for global investments.
The banquet showcased the outstanding success stories of Telugu people in the U.S. and honored some of them for their contributions to the societies in India and America. Some of the prominent attendees included Ausaf Sayeed, consul general of India in Chicago, Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress Raja Krishnamoorthi, prominent M.P. Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Telangana deputy chief minister Kadiam Srihari as well as ATA benefactors Prem Reddy and Paila Malla Reddy who were joined by a large contingent of MPs and MLAs from A.P. and Telangana represented by all political parties, including TRS, YSRCP, TDP and Congress.
The convention set the stage on fire July 2 with a huge 100-member group dance troupe presenting ‘Jyothi Prajwalana’ that evoked standing ovation. The keynote address by Union Venkaiah Naidu inspired Telugus in America to nurture Telugu language, for the succeeding generations. He said that “the most successful people in North America are Indians and added half of them are Telugu’s”.
Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti presented governor’s proclamation to ATA leaders. Rasamayi Balakrshinan Troupe provided an upbeat ‘Dhoom Dham’ Telangana traditional dance and musical presentation and the youth forum was inaugurated by ATA founder Hanumanth Reddy, convener Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai and Director K.K. Reddy.
A re-enactment of ‘Bahubali’ movie with its huge cast held the audience in rapt attention while ‘SYEATA’ had youth performing colorful cultural and western presentations and the Kuchipudi dance by Padmaja Reddy displayed wide swath of emotions.
Kavitha Kalvakuntla, Telangana M.P. applauded the sense of unity of Telugu people at the convention. Iftekhar Shareef, the reception chair, introduced all the Telangana lawmakers and talked about their role in continuously steering Telangana towards the path of success.
The convention drew wall-to-wall crowds July 3 to witness the spectacular fashion show, contemporary dance presentations and grand musical show presented by the Mani Sharma group.
In the afternoon, political leaders from participated in heated debates. Some of the politicians in the political forum included Srihari, L. Ramana, Keshav Rao, Roja, Ambati Rambabu, Srikanth Reddy, and Malla Reddy among others.
The evening saw youth dance and musical presentations. The organizers felicitated ATA past presidents, its board members and trustees.
Some of the Tollywood movie actors attending the convention included actors Kajol Agarwal, Jagapathi Babu, Nani Babu Ghanta, Rashi Khana, Bhanu Sree,Lavanya Tripathi, Rashmi Gautam, Jyothi, Ramya Sree,Neeliya,Rachna Mourya.
There were several forums, including business workshops by CEO’s and entrepreneurs about doing business in India and the U.S.; the women’s workshops to empower and motivate women; health and wellness seminars; and seminars for senior citizens.
There were also a huge number of vendor’s booths selling delicacies, jewelry, fashion apparels and accessories as also real estate companies.
ATA and the convention team received glowing accolades for their remarkable success in organizing the convention.
ATA President Sudhakar Perkari lauded the remarkable ATA team work while founder /president Hanumanth Reddy expressed joy at the presence of such a huge number of Telugu people under one roof.
The post ATA Silver Jubilee Convention Draws A Record 10,000 People appeared first on News India Times.