Publications

Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA)

- by T.L.S. Bhaskar (Hyderabad) & Bala Indurti (Atlanta GA)

As TAMA celebrates its 24^th anniversary and the silver jubilee next year, it only epitomizes the rich tradition of Telugus uniting together towards promoting our Telugudanamu. Since its formation in 1981 when it’s first president Dr. Jaganmohan Rao (ex-President of Hindu Temple of Atlanta) and the vice-president Dr. Jayachand Pallekonda took initiative in teaming together all the local Telugus to form an association for socio-cultural purposes, the TAMA has been actively involved in preserving and promoting our culture and tradition to successive generations acting as an integral part of local Indian community, and communities at large. It acts as an umbrella organisation for all the Telugus living in Atlanta and near by cities such as Macon, Augusta, Savannah, Columbia & Greenville (South Carolina), Chattanooga (Tennessee), Birmingham (Alabama) etc.  TAMA’s mission is to provide a platform to the people of Telugu origin to come together and act on the items of importance to them.

The membership is open to all people of Telugu origin keen to participate in its activities, and there is an option for seeking a life membership too. Every year TAMA community celebrates major festivals like Sankranthi, Ugadi and Deepavali, and an outdoor function picnic. Nearly 600 enthusiastic Telugus gather at the festival actively celebrating our culture. These cultural programs attract around 180 children participating and presenting outstanding quality items inclusive of classical, folk and movie based items.

                                        

TAMA organised a VIP Fundraising lunch in 2004 as soon as the new committee took the office, seeking the community support. It is an innovative idea to raise funds and was never organised before, much to the efforts of its present vice-president Mr. Bala Indurti and the President Mr. Krishna Mohan Pinnamaneni.

Current executive committee members Mr. Ramesh Chaparala, Mr. Srikanth Gongalreddy & Mr. Phani Dokka feel that, TAMA has generated enough funds and it is financially stable condition in 24 year of TAMA history. 

Every year, TAMA organizes literary meets, the Sahiti Sadassulu with at least 60 participants in each event. The present literary coordinator, Mr. Phani Dokka organizes the events during 2004-2005. Poetry (kavithalu) and Literature work is presented by writers and lovers of literature during these literary meets every quarter in a year. The participants are welcome to present their work, or attend and enjoy the sadassu. It is a great source of keeping your hobby alive or to get inspired and write a piece of poem or a short story. TAMA releases a literary magazine manavoori maata every quarter and a special Ugadi souvenir every year apart from the yearly TAMA calendar. Mr. Vishwanath Dasari sponsored the calendar for year 2005, and Mr. Bala Indurti and Mr. Vishwanath Dasari designed it. TAMA collaborates with TeluguOne in printing the same and distributing it during the Sankranti festival celebrations. Phani Dokka, Dr. Seshu Sarma, Mr. Chari Kandala and Mr. Venu Dasigi are key contributors for literary side.

To TAMA’s credit, Dr. Aruna Prasad Kancharla and his team organized TANA event in Atlanta in the year 1991. Again in the year 2000 Dr. Murthy Komanduri and his team organized ATA event in Atlanta. Nearly 6000 Telugus from all over the US participated in both the events. Dr. Murthy Konaduri was instrumental in preparing TAMA’s constitution.

Mr. Syam Yellamraju is known for non-stop 3-hour play of a Hindi version of Ramayana, one of its kind in the US with nearly 80 participating artists, and a rigorous practice for over three years. He organised one such show in Atlanta to raise funds for Indian American Cultural Association’s temple.

TAMA organizes Mana Badi, classes for children of 4 years and above. Telugu lessons, literature, heritage and culture are held as a curriculum. Classes are conducted by experience teachers and coordinated by prominent Telugu Community leaders. Presently Dr. Pudipeddi Seshu Sarma, Ms. Tadavarthi Malathi, Ms. Syamala Cherukuimlli and Ms. Hemamalini Bhattaar and Ms. Bhanurekha Yendapally teach at the school and Ms. Sreedevi Dadithota coordinates the initiative for year 2005. The primary objectives of the school are to- teach our youngsters to communicate, read and write in Telugu, help our youngsters develop a greater understanding of our Telugu culture, help our youngsters develop an understanding of Hindu religion & mythology, and expose our youngsters to Carnatic music and help them develop an ear for the South Indian classical music.

While most of the Telugus in Atlanta are in the software field, still many others are into medical, business, hotel industry, movie distribution etc. A local Telugu can always spend time eating Telugu delicacies at Andy’s Indian Grill, Minerva, Sri Krishna Vilas and Swapna (Amrutha) owned by Telugus, and watch Telugu movies which is arranged by people like Harish Sajja, Satish Musunoori, Balarami Reddy and Kodanda Rami Reddy who run Telugu movies in Atlanta as a secondary occupation and interest. While movies were played on 16mm projectors for a long time, the first Telugu movie played in a theatre was in 1994 (“Alibaba, ara dazanu dongalu”). This was brought under the presidentship of Syam Yellamraju. Four new coordinators roles for managing Movies, Mana Badi, Cultural and Sahiti Sadassu were started in 1996 under the leadership of Mr. Jayaram Maddireddy & Dr. Prasad Chalasani. These committees were formalized through a revision to the constitution by subsequent teams of Dr. Rajeshwar Tekmal and Mr. Ramakanth Rallapalli. Sudhakar Vallurupalli & Rajesh Mallela screened several telugu movies as coordinators.

More children involvement in TAMA cultural activities took place during 2001 and 2002 years. Ms. Padmalatha Ayala is instrumental for this change. Approximately 180 child participation is taking place in TAMA cultural activities. Anil Chintalapati, Phani Dokka, Venkat Chennubhotla, Smitha Yellam Raju, Lakshmi Vedala, Venu Dasigi and Dr. Mano Naidu served as MCs for most of the TAMA cultural functions. In the year 2003 Seetha Vallurupalli organized musical nights with movie celebrities. Ms. Revathi Komanduri, Ms. Padmaja Kelam, Ms. Neelima Gaddamanugu and Ms. Sashikala Penumarthi are focusing more on promoting classical dances.

      

TAMA and its members are known for their voluntary involvement in various activities. Mr. Chand Akkineni organises the Festival of India every year with the support of IACA.  Dr. Aruna Prasada Kancharla is the current President of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta.  Dr. Sunkara Ranga Rao is president of Shirdi Sai Temple of Atlanta.

TAMA keeps sailing with invaluable efforts from many community leaders, Physicians, Entrepreneurs and Volunteers etc who continuously associate with every effort that is initiated by TAMA.

Dr. Sujata Reddy Treasurer of Hindu Temple of Atlanta organizes Health Fairs twice in a year with the help of Indian based doctors. This will be very useful for Asian community in the US and Asian Visitors.  TAMA coordinates with Dr. Sujatha Reddy conducting this event.

S.P. Reddy, Dr. Vijay Vemulapalli of VIBHA, Vijay Mallampati IDRF/TeluguOne, Srikanth Konda of IDRF, Ramesh Gude and Devender Reddy are doing great service to the needy people in India.

Every year, American Telugu Association (ATA) or Telugu Association of North America (TANA) organise their national conventions on a rotation basis. This is a time when state level associations like TAMA take initiative and organise local tours for the cultural troupes coming from India. This gives the local Telugus an opportunity to enjoy programs like orchestras, star programs, cultural performances, etc.

Mr. Bala Indurti, who joined the TAMA Executive Committee when Mr. Surender Mutyala was its President in 2004, opines that many NRIs who came to the US years ago and settled very well should now start working towards bringing a socio-development change in the villages they are from. The commitment should lead to NRIs adopting their villages and undertake development process at grass root level, and this is possible only when they visit their villages and identify their needs.  

For additional information regarding TAMA and to catch up on the latest, please visit the TAMA website www.tama.org

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