OSWEGO - Chicago Andhra Association (CAA) celebrated Cultural day on November 2nd,2024 at Oswego East High school, Oswego. The event displayed a combination of cultural and modern activities, was coordinated by President of CAA, Ms. Swetha Kottapalli, Chairman Srinivas Pedamallu and Vice President Sri Krishna Mathukumalli. It was celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

CAA Board thanked all the sponsors and its members for their continued outstanding support throughout the year. Over 1000 Telugu people from in and around Chicago, attended the event.

Ms. Meghna Bansal, who is contesting for the Naperville City Council in the upcoming elections, attended the event and wished all the Telugu people and called everyone to exercise their right to vote.

Registrations were handled by Hemanth Talapaneni along with Padma Rao Appalaneni, Anuradha Gampala, Harachand Gampala, Sailesh Maddi, Murali Reddivari ,Giri Rao Kothamasu, Lohitha Gampala (Youth), Ritesh Bommineni(Youth), Little master Suvigna veer Maddi (Youth) extended a warm welcome to the audience and helped with Annual membership renewals, event registrations etc.

The program was kicked off by the president of CAA, Trustees, Founders and Board of directors by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

The event was split into two sessions. The first being cultural programs, students of Vaidehi Chandrasekaran of Gurukripa Music school performed classical singing - prayer songs to kick off the cultural program which was appreciated by one and all.

As the events progressed, it was a visual feast to watch traditional dances, Tollywood medleys by kids and adults. A Folk Themed program was put together with over 80 participants that included kids and adults. The themed program included performances for Hit folk songs with foot tapping numbers that definitely stood out. Audience thoroughly enjoyed all the cultural programs with claps and whistles, encouraging the performers with slogans like ‘once more’.

Traditional Kuchipudi classical dance by students of Guru Janaki Anandavalli Nair was watched in pin drop silence and highly praised by the audience is one of the highlights of the cultural program.

Team 2024, trustees and founders together presented a graceful Diwali dance and entertained audience.

The first half of the event, Cultural programs were very well-coordinated by the cultural team Sailaja Sappa, Srismitha Nanduri, Anusha Bestha and ably supported by Srini Padyala for audio management. Energetic MCs  Siripriya Bachu, Ritika Bhogadi, Shriya Konchada, Kavya Sri Challa added a special charm to the event.

Gifts were sponsored by 'Lingam Abharanam' and 'Beautiful ideas by Neelam' for Raffle winners

Association trustees Srinivas Pedamallu, Sujatha and PadmaRao Appalaneni, Dr. Sandhya Appalaneni, Raghava and Sivabala Jatla, Pavithra Karumuri and CAA’s Past presidents - Sailesh Maddi, Malathi Damaraju, Gowri Shankar Addanki actively worked to make the event a grand success.

Tamishra  Konchada, director for decorations in collaboration with Krishna Jasthi and several volunteers - Srivasavi Tenkumalla, Priya Matukumalli, Narasimha Rao, Rama Rao Kothamasu, Sujatha appalaneni, Pavani Kottapalli, Samatha Pedamaru, Sailaja sappa, Anusha beshta, Krishna Jasti, Madhav garu,Srinivas Subudhi, Bose Kottapalli, Srikrishna Matukumalli, Padma Rao Appalaneni, Malathi Damaraju, Jai Aniketh Medaboina, Vishruth Chintapally, Ritesh Bommineni, Kalyan Kottapalli, Aashrith Kottapalli and Swetha Kottapalli  ensured a complete festive look at the venue with bright decorations all around. Decorated areas were crowded throughout the event, with people queuing up for pictures.

Hall way was full with Vendors putting up sale for home decor, trendy Jewellery, clothing and was crowded throughout the event with women enjoying shopping at the stalls.

President Swetha welcomed the audience and gave a gist of what her team has achieved throughout the year so far. President Swetha Kottapalli and Chairman Srinivas Pedamallu fondly acknowledged the sponsors on the stage and thanked them presenting Momentos for supporting the organization throughout this year.

President Swetha , Chairman Srinivas Pedamallu, Vice President Srikrishna Mathukumalli and the association board felicitated Past President Gowri Shankar Addanki along with his wife Radhika Garimella for all his efforts and valuable contributions towards the organization and presented a Momento in recognition of his valuable services.

President Swetha Kottapalli thanked all the Board of Directors and their families for their efforts and contribution this year, by presenting Momento.

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.

CAA sponsors Vinay Velivela distributed Diwali sweets to all the CAA members.

Naresh Chintamani along with Murali Reddivari, Girirao Kothamasu, Srini Padyala, Suresh Inapudi, Mallik Goli, Satish Pasupuleti,Narasimha Reddy Oggu, Suresh Chebrolu, Suneel Akuluru, Raju Bojja, Kalyan Kondisetty, Subbu Bestha, Harachand Gampala, Anuradha Gampala, Srikanth Prekki, Markandeyulu Kandula, Ramakrishna Donuri, Sunil Chitluri, Sai Prakash Alla, Narendra Nukala, Shanti Chitluri, performance. CAA extended a heartfelt appreciation to the Band members who made the evening enjoyable with their mesmerizing renditions .

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

President Swetha Kottapalli thanked all the board members Srinivas Pedamallu, Srikrishna Mathukumalli, Padmarao Appalaneni, Narasimha Rao Veerapaneni, Lakhsmi Naag Suribhotla, Sailaja Sappa, Srismitha Nanduri, Anusha Bestha, Naresh Chintamani, Tamishra Konchada, Girirao Kothamasu, Geetika Mandala, Anuradha Gampala, Savitha Munaga, Hemanth Talapaneni, Murali Reddivari, Kavyasri Challa, Manasvi Thumu and Anvitha Panchagnula for their efforts in running the event successfully.

Vote of thanks was given by Secretary Girirao Kothamasu who thanked and appreciated the Sponsors, the audience and Board of directors, members, artists and many volunteers for making the show a memorable festive event.