CHICAGO, JULY 10, 2004
IANS
A tiny corner of the US was transformed into a "little
Andhra" as over 8,000 guests from all over North America, India
and other countries descended for a Telugu convention.
The arts and culture of Andhra Pradesh came to an opulent
bloom at the Rosemont Convention Centre on the outskirts of Chicago
where the Eighth ATA (American Telugu Association) Telugu Conference
and Youth Convention was held.
"The huge convention facility turned into a 'Little
Andhra', with many guests attending in traditional Andhra dresses,"
Ramana Murthy Yedavalli, a former chief engineer of the City of Chicago
and local coordinator of the convention, told IANS.
The main auditorium reverberated with the sounds of
Andhra music and the rhythms of its dances, the seminar rooms echoed
the rolling syllables of the Telugu language, and the dining halls were
redolent of the smells of Andhra cuisine.
It was an affair to remember for children as well as
adults, with art contests for kids, dance competitions for teens, discussion
groups for the second generation, and reunions of the alumni of renowned
Andhra schools.
But it was not just entertainment and pleasure: a programme-titled
"Lend a Hand to the Motherland" was launched at the convention
to help the drought-stricken farmers of Andhra Pradesh, with the Telugus
of America donating one day's earnings.
Among the dignitaries from India attending the meet
were Andhra Pradesh Minister for Industries Bothsa Satyanarayana, Indian
Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dasari Narayan Rao, film producer
and director Ramanaidu, and Jnanpeeth awardee and Telugu literary giant
C. Narayana Reddy.
Among the dignitaries from the US was New Jersey Assemblyman
Upendra J. Chivukula, who has been on Franklin Township Council since
1997 and was mayor of the township in 2000.
The convention opened with the Awards Banquet, at which
ATA recognised outstanding individuals of Telugu origin were honoured.
Murthy Chimata, ATA convenor, said the theme of the
convention was "Arrive, Assimilate and Excel".
Noted playback singer P. Susheela, who is popularly
known as the Lata Mangeshkar of the Telugu film industry, entertained
the audience with her melodious voice. She was given a Lifetime Achievements
Award.
The ATA awardees included those from India as well.
Many charitable and developmental projects have been
undertaken in Andhra Pradesh through ATA. The funds for these projects
are being contributed by people like you. Last year alone, ATA sponsored
projects exceeded $200,000. Our Chief Minister, Chandra Babu Naidu's
Janmabhoomi's program would be a good incentive to get involved in the
developmental projects.
American Telugu Association (ATA) is a national non-profit
organization established to serve the people of Telugu origin in the
North America