TAGB Sankranti Celebrations at Keefe Tech School Auditorium on Jan 16, 2005

For most people in Boston it is a special Sunday afternoon on Jan 16, 2005. They knew it was going to snow in the evening. Their home team, Patriots is playing the most important food ball game of the year against the Indianapolis Colts. It is a perfect setting to stay home and watch the game. But it is not an option for many Boston area Telugu families. They got into their cars in spite of the snow and the game, and headed to Keefe Tech School auditorium to join their friends to celebrate Sankranti Sambaralu organized by the Telugu Association of Greater Boston (TAGB).

More than 400 adults and children showed up at the venue. Some brought their favorite Sankranti Muggulu to participate in a friendly competition and displayed their muggulu outside the auditorium.  About 70 children and adults in colorful costumes performed 20 shows on the stage in small and big groups. The program went from 4 pm to 10 pm with a dinner break in the middle.

Baburao Polavaapu, TAGB president welcomed the gathering with Happy Sankranti greetings. The cultural show started with Prayer song by Manasa, followed by Pushpanjali dance by Swathi and Bhavana. Young children dominated the first half of the show with beautiful dances, vocal and instrumental music. The fashion parade by little kids stole the hearts of the audience. A Sankranti theme dance by Nandini and her friends also added to the atmosphere of this special evening. While a little boy, Virinchi sang Annamaya keeratanlu with his melodius voice, a group of children lead by Sriraga danced wonderfully to the tunes of Telugu film songs. The students of Narthanam performed Dasavataram composed by Jayadeva.

The second half started with Telugu cinema and folk songs sung by Mr. & Mrs. Prashant that made many in the audience to dance. This vocal performance was matched by the singing of Padmaja and Srinivas with a Patala Pandiri of romantic Bava-Mardallla songs. Keerti and Rupa showcased Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi styles, respectively, with their beautiful performances. The big surprise of the evening was Sankranti Saree Fashion Parade by seven beautiful ladies in gorgeous Kanjivaram silk sarees. The cultural program ended with Janaranjani dance choreographed and performed by Harita, Sunayana and their friends.

Although it was an occasion to celebrate an important festival, the organizers and audience were mindful of the recent global disaster caused by Tsunami in Indian Ocean, and responded with generous donations. Keerti with the help of high school children sold raffle tickets to the audience and raised $725 for the disaster victims.

His Holiness Shantharam Swamy (disciple of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy), and Dhulipala Rao (past TAGB president) distributed trophies to the participants. The occasion was sponsored by Mohan & Sama Nannapaneni, and Haribabu & Rani Muddana. Several ladies donated home made food that made up delicious dinner. Surya Jayanthi managed the show as the master of the ceremony. Ravi Pattisam gave vote of thanks.

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