New Jersey, USA: Telugu Kala Samiti Celebrates 40th Anniversary and Diwali in New Jersey

The Telugu Kala Samiti (TFAS) marked its 40th anniversary and Diwali with a grand celebration in New Jersey, USA. The event highlighted the cultural significance of the Telugu language, with TFAS President Madhu Anna emphasizing that language serves as a bridge to preserve and promote cultural identity.

The event featured a variety of cultural and spiritual programs, showcasing the rich traditions of the Telugu community. These included musical performances, a fashion show, and literary competitions. Attendees were also entertained by performances from popular singers Bharadwaj and music director Charan Pakala, as well as a comedic mimicry act by Sivareddy.

The event also saw the launch of the Telugu Jyothi edition, a publication aimed at sharing information about Telugu culture, traditions, and notable personalities. Key guests at the celebration included Mannava Subba Rao, Upendra Chivukula, Mohan Rao Myneni (President of Bridgewater Temple), Sankaramanchi Raghu Sharma, and Swathi Atluri.

The festivities began with the lighting of the ceremonial torch, followed by a range of programs that celebrated Telugu heritage. Prizes were awarded for various competitions, including cricket, volleyball, and tennis.

In his speech, Madhu Anna stated, "Our mother tongue reflects the identity and uniqueness of our people. No community has survived without cherishing its native language. Our goal is to pass on Telugu culture and traditions to the next generation, regardless of the language they study in. Through the Telugu Jyothi edition, we aim to connect our community with our heritage and celebrate those who excel in various fields."

Mannava Subba Rao highlighted the importance of regularly celebrating Telugu festivals and maintaining the language, emphasizing that TFAS is committed to ensuring that the Telugu language thrives.

Upendra Chivukula stressed the collective responsibility to preserve Telugu customs and language, praising the social and cultural contributions of TFAS.

Over 1,000 people participated in the event, which also saw contributions from Seshagiri Kambhammettu, Prasad Voutukuri, Vani Kunisetty, Latha Madisetty, Damu Gedela, Vasireddy Ramakrishna, Mandadi Srihari, Bheemaneni Srinivas, Bhanu Maguluri, Ramesh Avirneni, Lokender Girkala, Arundhati Sakavalli, Venkata Sathya Tata, Varalakshmi Radhakrishna, and many others. The celebration concluded with a packed dinner, bringing the community together in a joyful gathering.