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Dallas, TX: TANTEX of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas celebrated Deepavali with festive fervor and enthusiasm at L D Bell High School in Hurst (city), Texas (state) on November 03, 2007. The public response was overwhelmingly impressive with over 800 people turn out to watch this event. The phenomenal program organization, voluntary work, coupled with crisp stage management gave a professional touch to the event. A large number of kids and adults participated in the cultural event.
The cultural attractions of this evening began with ‘Narakaasura Vadha ‘, a bhaagavatha ganam by Murthy Bhadriraju; Followed by Kuchipudi dance ballet by Srilatha Suri & team titled ‘Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum’, revolving around four stages of Lord Krishna ; The next one was ‘Kurro Kurru’, skit by Writer and Director, Naga Lakshmi Suribhotla herself performing along with Annapurna Chilukuri & Sarada Jonnalagadda; ‘ ShivaGanga’ â Another dance ballet by Kalyani Avula about Lord Shiva capturing Ganga in his locks and let her trickle down gently; ‘Deepavali Dhamaka’, A variety mock fashion show by Dr.Kasturi Inaganti, Dr.Kiran Kancharla, Rajesh Chilukuri & team which showed celebration of Deepavali in a unique family style combining music, dance and ‘deepams’ presented in a highly synchronized manner along the themes of a fashion show. This item had 83 participants, who comprised of children, teenagers and adults and set the record of having the most participants in one item, in the history of TANTEX ever. The other items included, ‘Sanmaanam’ (Haasya Natika) by Chandra Kanneganti, a parody in a playful way speaking on felicitation . The performers were talented and committed to the cause; Movie songs sung by Ramam Devaraju and Ramesh Kalpataku; Auction of a bracelet by Chandra K Bandar; ‘Tarajuvvalu’ medley by Padma Devaraju and group.
TANTEX Special Events Chair Prasad Thotakura introduced Dr. Gene Buinger, Superintendent, HEB Independent School District, to the audience and commended his community involvement and contribution to the Indian American community. Prasad specially thanked Dr. Buinger for introducing Hindi in his HEB school district. TANTEX President Raja Reddy felicitated Dr. Buinger. TANTEX also felicitated Bhaskar Reddy, TANTEX member with the best volunteer of the year award for his out standing volunteering work. TANA President Bob Kakarala and Foundation Chair Mallikharjuna Rao Chalasani, Dilip Kuchipudi, TANA Web Chair and Ram Yalamanchili, TANA Joint Secretary appealed audience to actively participate in TANA activities especially projects like “Operation Envision” to serve the needy with the cataract surgeries in Andhra Pradesh.
The MCs for the program were Nikhila Pinnapureddy and Srinivas Chilukuri who kept the audience engaged throughout the program with their humor and wit.
Pasand restaurant served very tasty authentic Telugu dishes like pulihora, vada and laddu to suit the festive occasion. The audience played their part by enjoying and encouraging the artists and participants with constant applauding.
This event will remain as one of the best organized, very well attended TANTEX programs in the DFW metroplex area. The broader participation is a clear evidence of large, lively and vibrant Telugu community in the DFW area.
Program ended with vote of thanks by Chandra Kanneganti, Secretary of TANTEX who acknowledged the grand sponsors for the program including HEB ISD, Gallop technologies, Discover travels, Andhra Café, Pasand Indian Cuisine, Ajay Reddy & family. The other sponsors included Rice 1 Roll, Swadeshi Plaza, and Taj Grocers, Our Place Indian restaurant, Mela groceries and Tilak jewelers. This was followed by Indian national anthem ‘Janagana mana.’