CAA’s Sankranthi Celebrations Attracts Hundreds

CHICAGO - Chicago Andhra Association (CAA) celebrated Sankranthi festival season on February 10th at the Hindu temple of Greater Chicago under the combo leadership of President Swetha Kottapalli, Chairman Srinivas Pedamallu, and Vice President Sri Krishna Mathukumalli. The event displayed a culmination of cultural and modern activities. Over a 1000 attended.

The program was kicked off by the president of CAA, trustees, and the board of directors by way of lighting a ceremonial lamp. Students of Valleswari Murthy of  Bharatha Bharathi music school and students of Vaidehi Chandrasekaran of Gurukripa Music school performed classical singing - prayer songs to kick start the cultural program.

President Swetha welcomed the audience and gave a gist of what her team is planning to bring forward, this year. President Swetha Kottapalli and Chairman Srinivas Pedamallu fondly acknowledged the sponsors on the stage and thanked them for supporting the organization.

President Swetha thanked Chairman Sujatha Appalaneni, chairman 2022-2023, for all her efforts and valuable contributions towards the organization and presented her a Momento in recognition of her valuable services.

CAA’s service wing, Chicago Andhra Foundation’s service and charity initiatives were presented by the foundation’s executive director Savitha Munaga and assistant executive director Anuradha Gampala. CAF team organized a food drive, a saree Raffle, a Stall with handmade table runners to raise donations. All the proceeds from the fund raiser will benefit women empowerment projects back home in India.

Registrations were handled by Hemanth Talapaneni along with Padmarao Appalaneni, Sailesh Maddi, Murali Reddivari, Narasimha rao Veerapaneni, Vijay Mannepalli, Smaran Tadepalli, Divija Challa and Shriya Konchada. They extended a warm welcome to the audience and helped with Annual membership renewals and event registrations.

Sireesha Padyala and Anvitha Panchagnula handed over the CAA Telugu Calendars designed by Sailesh Maddi and a packet of Ayodhya Ram Temple Akshintalu to all the members and attendees. 

As the events progressed, it was a visual feast to watch traditional dances, Tollywood medleys, kids singing performances.

Cultural programs were well-coordinated by the cultural team Sailaja Sappa, Srismitha Nanduri, Anusha Bestha, and ably supported by Srinivasamurthy Padyala, Lohita Gampala, Shilpa Ramisetty, Priya Matukumalli, Manasvi Thumu, Geethika Inapudi and Hasini Devella.

A Sankranthi themed skit was put together with over 70 participants that included kids as young as 3 year olds. The theme program depicted all the cultural aspects of the festival with a skit and various dances to foot tapping numbers which definitely stood out as the highlight of the cultural programs. Audience thoroughly enjoyed all the cultural programs and whistles were blown all along, encouraging the performers with Slogans of “once more”.

Prizes, sponsored by “Anandi Fadhions - Kalpana” were distributed to the winners of the Rangoli Competition held during Sankranti festival. All the kids who took part in the Rangoli competition were given prizes as a token of appreciation for their involvement and to encourage them further.

Traditional Kuchipudi classical dances by students of guru Janaki Anandavalli Nair and guru Shobha Tammana; and “Himagiri Thanaye” Bharatanatyam dance by kum Adithi Acharya, a disciple of guru Asha Adiga Acharya were watched and highly praised by the audience.

Youth Directors Kavyasri Challa and Mansvi Thumu made handled youth volunteer services wherever needed, throughout the event.

Videography and Photography for the event were handled by Swadesh Media, for which CAA extends its appreciation and gratitude.

Tamishra  Konchada, director for decorations in collaboration with Krishna Jasthi from “Occassions By Krishna” ensured a complete festive look at the venue with Sankaranthi theme all around. Decorated areas were crowded throughout the event, with people queuing up for pictures and selfies.

Sponsors reception and coordination was handled by Prabhakar Mallampalli.

Naresh Chintamani, advisor Suresh Inapudi, handled serving a sumptuous traditional dinner. Pizza Twist restaurant provided fusion pizzas for the kids. Serving food to the attendees of CAA events always creates a festive atmosphere where everyone is so eager to serve. That tradition continued in this event also where kids and adults alike took turns to serve.

More than 1000 Ariselu made with ghee, a popular South Indian Sweet were prepared by Sujatha Appalaneni, Bhagyalaxmi Sangem, Swetha Kottapalli, Tamishra Konchada, Saumya Bojja, Sruthi Kuchampudi, Sravanthi Grandhi, Priya Matukumalli, Malliswari Pedamallu , Harini Meda, Rajyalakshmi Kondisetty, Anusha Bojja which were prominent attractions in the Menu.

Srinivasamurthy Padyala and Murali Reddivari handled the event logistics, while promos were handled by Lakshminaag Suribhotla gracefully.

Geetika Mandala handled the social media responsibilities to provide Facebook live sessions during the cultural programs, seamlessly.

Secretary Girirao Kothamasu thanked the audience who patiently watched all the programs glued to their seats, encouraging all the performers by thoroughly enjoying all along. Finally Extended vote of thanks appreciating and thanking sponsors, members, artists and many volunteers for causing the show as a memorable festive event, successfully.