The Telugu speaking Indian community in Atlanta are fully engaged in preparations to celebrate the two-day main event of the yearlong silver jubilee celebrations of the Telugu Association of metro Atlanta (TAMA). The two-day event will be held here on September 2-3, 2006 at the Gwinnett Civic center. 

The year long silver jubilee celebrations of TAMA that started on December 18, 2005 with a fund raising lunch continued with enthusiasm with a variety of programs like the sahiti sadassu, literary discussions, a kids festival, the initiating of a Telugu language chair at Emory university, a tennis tournament, picnics, a heath fair and distributing merit scholarships to 115 students in Andhra Pradesh to the tune of $ 33,000, besides observing festivals that are dear to the Telugu people.

More than 2000 delegates with their families are expected to attend the main event. Programs are well planned by TAMA presiden Bala and his team. Hectic preparations are under way for the success of the celebrations and final touches were given at the meeting of coordinators held at Swapna restaurant last Saturday. 

The two-day celebrations at Gwinnett promise to offer a complete spectrum of programs related to knowledge and entertainment. Programs include Rajatavadhanam by Satasahasravadhani Dr. Madugula Naga Phani Sarma from India. Rajatavadhanam as a literary performance has a unique place in the cultural and literary tradition of Andhra Pradesh. The performer is usually a learned scholar and a poet well versed in Telugu literature. 

What is on display during the performance is the ability of the scholar-poet to compose a poem on the spot on any topic given to him. Twenty-five participants give the Avadhani assignments or ask questions simultaneously. No other language in the world has a similar literary performance.

Our very own Harsha Agadi, a product of Hyderabad Public School and president & CEO of Church’s chicken, Dr. Jagadish Sheth, world renowned professor of marketing and Prof. Srinivasa Reddy, director of the Coco-Cola Center of Marketing Studies will explain the various business opportunities available in the business seminar. Other programs include mahila sadassu, yoga and health classes, the release of two publications authored by two Atlanta based Telugu writers, a mega musical night by film singers Usha and Gangadhar, a comedy show and mimicry by film star Siva Reddy, Alumni – College reunion which offers excellent advantage from networking with peers, classical music programs, Pratapa Rudreeyam by local artists and a kids fest. 

In all, 200 local artists will participate in the cultural programs. The two-day event are divided into various sessions and will be held simultaneously. The sessions include educational seminars, drawing and dress competitions, vendor exhibitions and cultural programs. Kenneth Cutshaw, Honorary Consul of India at Atlanta will inaugurate the two-day event as a special guest. 

The two-day event is a very special occasion for the Telugu community living in and around Atlanta. In the early years, Telugu families used to meet at individual houses. The growing needs of the community necessitated the local Telugu families to start an organization in 1981 and today TAMA has taken the shape of a vibrant organization. 

Over the years TAMA has grown and has become an integral part of the Indian Community in Metro Atlanta and an active participant not only in the Indian community but also in the mainstream community. TAMA organizes events to celebrate major festivals and organizes a picnic during summer as scheduled activities. Besides these, several other literary and cultural events go on like 'Sahiti Sadassu' (literary meet), musical nights, fund-raising programs, celebrating various festivals, Kid fest, etc. Telugu movies are also screened by TAMA periodically. A school for young kids 'Mana Badi', organized with the support of several volunteers, is held on every Sunday at two different places; the Hindu Temple of Atlanta and at the Norcross Library. 

TAMA is on the forefront in helping the community back in India and in particular Andhra Pradesh in various ways in times of distress during earthquakes and tsunami. On July 29, TAMA, as part of its silver jubilee celebrations, presented scholarships at the Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad worth Rs. 15 lakhs ($ 30,000) to 116 SSC and Intermediate students from all districts of the State in the presence of Dada Palke awardee Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jnana Peeth awardee and poet Dr. C. Narayana Reddy and Avula Manjulata, Vice chancellor of Telugu university. Speaker after speaker at Ravindra Bharati scholarships function showered accolades on TAMA for its gesture towards needy students at home. said TAMA has done a great job. “This noble project will inspire other Telugu associations in USA,” said Dr. Nageswara Rao. “We are glad to be part of this great ceremony. It is always nice to see NRIs doing something for the motherland. Nobody has done this before and this will be remembered forever and set an example to other NRI communities.”

TAMA’s efforts to establish a Telugu language Studies program at Emory University is also receiving encouragement. The community needs to raise $150,000. Emory University will match the remaining funds to enable the beginning of an academic program that can draw international attention to Telugu language and Culture and serve the needs of our future generations

Everyone in the Telugu community appreciates the efforts of the 2006 TAMA executive committee for the job done in inspiring and awakening the Telugu community to the needs of the community here and back in India.