The 3^rd Annual event and fundraiser for Maanavseva, a local non-profit organization was celebrated on 29^th September at Algonquin Regional High School Auditorium in Northborough.

Maanavseva (Service to Humans) is a registered non-profit to fight malignancies among rural women in Indian villages. The mission is achieved through activities such as educating, creating awareness, conducting preventive examinations including mammogram/pap-smear screenings and to facilitate handholding of impacted rural women with necessary follow-up and treatment.

This year the theme was “Swara Seva” to “Maanavseva”. Even though Maanavseva wanted it to be multilingual, due to the very nature of the activities involved, it was limited to Telugu Language this time and hence the target audience was Indian Telugu community.

The program started with an Antyakshari competition that started at 2 PM. There were approximately 35 participants that formed into 8 teams and it was conducted by the well-known writer, movie maker Sri Srinivas Phani Dokka who came from Atlanta to be part of this event.  There was some audience too. It was fun and well-liked by all. The competition concluded around 3:40 and two teams were declared winners.

The main cultural program that started around 4:30 consisted of 26 old movie songs sung with karaoke. These songs were carefully picked from 50s, 60s and 70s movies. The singers were both local and within US from Atlanta and New Jersey. In total there were 15 singers and 10 MCs that introduced the songs and the singers and their performance was excellent. Maanavseva mission, activities and future plans were presented in between the songs.

There was a rare presentation of the old dying folklore style of storytelling called “Burrakatha” prevalent in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The narration of the story is done through songs, dance and humor. This was the first time that such an attempt was made in New England.  Required instruments were brought from India. The story telling is done on stage by 3 performers in traditional attire. Audiences were thrilled and it was a huge success.

Another guest to the Program was Sri Meer Abdulla, who is a co-producer and actor in Telugu movie “Padamati Sandhya Ragam” released in the 80s. The movie for the first time, depicted a love story between a south Indian girl and an American boy. It won several awards. Meer inspired the crowd with his motivational speech.

Sri Subbu Kota, well known philanthropist and entrepreneur and Dr. Ammani known for her strong support to both cultural and service activities, here in New England, graced the event and presented mementoes.

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