Telugu Association of Greater Boston celebrated its Silver Jubilee on the 30th of October at the superbly decked out Aleppo Shriner’s Auditorium, Wilmington, MA in the presence of more than 2200 audience – a memorable celebration that began at 9:00AM in the morning and continued well past midnight.

Everything about this event was grand, starting with the elegant stage decorations to the variety of talents displayed to the superb performances by both young local artists and the cine artists invited from India. US Senator Scott Brown and Lt. Governor Timothy P Murray graced the occasion with their presence and congratulated the Telugu Community on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations and encouraged families to have a good time. Special Souvenir released on the occasion of Silver Jubilee was very attractive and filled with rich content in Telugu and English.

The program started off auspiciously with the piously conducted “Sree Sita Rama Kalyanam” by JET priests Sri Vara Prasada Swami and Sri Santharam Swami followed by lighting of lamps by the very First President Smt. Sairani Ravi, Current President Sri Prakash Reddy and Trustee Smt. Ammani Dasari.

The performance by the Kuchipudi Natyalaya director Smt. Sailaja Chaudhary Tummala and group “Telugu Kala Vaibhavam” received standing ovation. It was extremely gratifying to have the author of the ballet, Sri Jonnavithula as a VIP Invitee, to enjoy the performance and listen to his wondering appreciation. Sri Jonnavithula who is no stranger to this community having been introduced during Ugadi celebrations, further entranced the audience with several witty compositions, including parodies, a Sanskrit Sonnet and his pure love and passion for the Telugu Language.

Well Known TV Anchor, Smt. Jhansi’s inimitable talent and spontaneous wit carried the program throughout the function creating a lot of laughter. In addition to anchoring, Jhansi’s “Talk of the Town” was hilarious. Stand-up comedy by Sri Irshad, Cine personality Venky and folk songs by Sri Ande Sri inspired the audience. Dr. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad talked about the richness of the language and culture: “Telugu Bhasha – Telugu Sanskriti”. The Game Show, “Si ante Si”, participated by the two finalist teams, Gentlemen in “Matabulu” and ladies in “Tarazuvvalu” conducted by the Anchor of the day, Smt. Jhansi was very well enjoyed by the audience.

BOT Vice Chair Sri Paparao Gundavaram and past BOT Chair Dr. Meka Seshagiri Rao felicitated below award recipients along with Trustee Sri Purnarao Bolneni and Sri Haribabu Muddana.

Sree Mohan Nannapaneni            Service to Telugu Community Award
Sree Ravi Ika                                 Business/Entrepreneurship Award
Dr. Ammani Dasari                        Telugu Culture/Literature/Language Award
Sree Subu M. Kota                        Community Recognition Award
Dr. Nagagopal Venna                    Excellence in Academics/Education/Research Award
Dr. Dikshitulu Kalluri                      Excellence in Academics/Education/Research Award
Dr. Mukunda Dogiparthi                Health Services Recognition Award
Smt. Sailaja Chaudhary Tummala Performing Arts and Social Service Award

Mr. Abhinay Ashutosh                  Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award
Mr. Seshu Kandukuri                   Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award
Ms. Manasa Jayanthi                   Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award
Ms. Swathi Madala                      Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award
Mr. Aditya Kota                            Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award
Mr. Pranay Bolneni                      Outstanding Youth/Role Model Award

In his Silver Jubilee speech, President Prakash Reddy mentioned that this day is a joyful day for Telugus living in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and other neighboring states as they are celebrating 25^th Anniversary on a grand scale.  While narrating Organization’s history, he proudly stated that the activities are expanding based on the foundation laid by the elders in this organization.

US Senator Scott Brown was welcomed on to the stage by Mr. Nikhil Reddy, who worked in his office in the past as an intern and the welcome address for Lt. Governor Timothy P Murray was given by Ms. Divya Kanneganti. President Prakash Reddy, BOT Chair Sri Mohan Nannapaneni and Trustee Purnarao Bolneni felicitated the senator and Lt. Governor.

During the celebrations TAGB Past Presidents, invitees from TANA and external artists were felicitated with shawls and mementos by the BOT chair, President, Executive and Steering Committee Members.

As an appreciation for their hard work all the Executive Committee members President Elect Dr. Murthy Kanneganti, General Secretary Sri Koteswara Rao Kandukuri, Treasurer Sri Siva Dogiparthi, Cultural Secretary Smt. Padma Parakala, Joint Secretary Sri Srinivas Chaganti and Joint Treasurer Sri Srinivas Kollipara were felicitated by Sri Mani Sharma and President Sri Prakash Reddy. Delicious lunch and dinner were provided by Minerva Indian cuisine and snacks were provided by Meena’s Kitchen.

Late in the Evening the long awaited Mani Sharma’s Musical Explosion anchored by Anitha Chaudhary took off with Ramyasri’s Dance and a resounding Live Orchestra. Popular Singers Hema Chandra, Karunya, Murali, Vijaya Lakshmi, Malavika and Geetha Madhuri sang a number of New Numbers, hits and remixes to the delight of the Audience. The event concluded with the vote of thanks by the General Secretary Sri Koteswara Rao Kandukuri.

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