Dasara Celebrations in Britain- a historic moment for Telugu Community

It is a historic moment for UK Telugu Community as all Telugu organisations across the length and breadth of Britain from as far afield as Scotland, Wales, Midlands and North West came together and conducted Dasara celebrations in London on 11th October 2008, Saturday. European Telugu Association (ETA), Telugu Association of London (TAL) and Telugu Association of Scotland (TAS) supported by Milton Keynes Telugu Association, Andhra Association, Manchester Telugu Association (MATA) and UK Telugu Community (a network of youth and young students) conducted the joint event at Brent Town Hall.

Kusumanjali by Ragasudha

The programme started with the song “ Maa Telugutalli ki” by Aishwarya and Yashaswi.

Inaugural speech was given by Dr. Rajashekar Reddy, President of ETA emphasizing on the importance of unity amongst Telugu community and sharing the joy of celebrations. Dr Ramulu, President of TAL, welcomed the gathering, TAS president  Shyam, AA President Kasi Vishwanath, MKTS Sreedhar, Rasheed of MATA and others expressed solidarity and unity on the occasion.

Committee members of Telugu associations in the UK

The evening was endowed with rich cultural programme. Anjali from Scotland enthralled the audience with classical songs. Eemani Kalyani (daughter of Veena maestro Padmasri Eemani Sankara Sastry) accompanied by Ravi Sharma on Mridangam gave a sterling performance, followed by classical dances by kids of various ages Uma Venkata Ratnam, Sai Neema and Pavani. A rich folk dance “ Koya” of Andhra  was showcased by young girls Nikhila, Ramya Sri, Yukta, Srihita and Aishwarya which was elegantly choreographed by Ms Vinjamuri Ragasudha on instrumental music of popular Annamacharya Keertana Tandanana Ahi.  Tollywood dances by under 6year olds Srinitya, Tanvi, Pranavi, Hashira, Kashifa and Hrudita were interesting.

Ravi Sharma on mridangam and Eemani Kalyani on Veena

Valedictory programme had felicitations to notable contributors to the Telugu community in the UK. The chief Guest Cllr.Ralph Fox, Mayor, Brent Council was felicitated by Peddi Nirmala Devi , General Secretary, ETA. Dr Ramulu introduced achievements of Telugus to the chief guest. Hema Macherla, author of English novel "Breeze of the River Manjeera” which was short-listed in the Richard & Judy Show in the Channel 4 was hailed. Dr.Ragini Reddy, UKCS, presented a cheque to the HEAL, a UK based charity running orphanages and schools in India. Director of Mana Telugu TV, Kumar Vuppalla was also hailed for his outstanding services to the Telugu community through the only UK based Telugu TV channel.

Dr. Ramulu, President of TAL & Cllr.Ralph Fox, Mayor, Brent Council

Mukthi Sri gave an interesting Kathak dance performance thereafter. Audience were happy to know more about Kathak.

A section of the audience

Then came the wonderful piece “A tribute to Black & White” by Vinjamuri Ragasudha, a renowned dancer living in the UK, starting with a tribute to the home-land, “Andhra maata neeku vandanam” She has dedicated her rendition to stalwart classical dancers of yester years like Kamala Lakshman, Padmini, Vyjayanthi Mala etc. who stole the hearts of telugu public through their silver screen performances too. Ornate compositions like Kshetrayya padam Makkuva Teerchara Muvva Gopala, Jayadeva ashtapadi Chandana Charchita(dating back to 1950s movies in some instances) once rendered by ace dancers by L. Vijaya Lakshmi, Geetanjali (Mani in Tamil films and Hindi Parasmani fame) and choreographed originally by revered masters Vedantam Raghavayya, Vempati China Satyam etc were picked. Delightful dimension to it was the Jugalbandi, the showcasing of two distinct dance forms of India Kathak and Bharatha Natyam in a climax rendition Madhuramaina Guru Deevena, which Ragasudha also dedicates to teachers, especially hers, Dr Uma Rama Rao. She was accompanied by Mukthi Sri on this piece which enthralled the audience and sent them into pleasant nostalgia. Peddi Nirmala Devi, General Secretary ETA commended the artistes and honored them with shawl and memento.

The Jugalbandi by Ragasudha and Mukthi Sri

Parthasarathi, “Paadutha Teeyaga’’ mega finalist and a famous Tollywood play back singer, wooed audience with his mesmerising voice and concluded the evening, assisted by a young play back singer Hari  from London. The stage turned vibrant with music and dance.