North America Telugu Association (NATA) scripted an unprecedented story and executed the story flawlessly, with needle precision.
Little less than six months ago NATA Governing board and the Chair Emeritus Dr. Prem Reddy announced their upcoming Convention in Dallas, TX hometown of president Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati. Yet, this past weekend, the North American Telugu Community indeed witnessed the unimaginable.
North America Telugu Association (NATA) have walked on the path of a historical Telugu Convention in Dallas, TX at the Dallas Convention Center from June 30 – July 2nd.
NATA governing board led by Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, its Board Members and Executive Committees have showed unshaken resolve to bring this Telugu Convention and made it a reality.
For any triumph, there are bound to be hurdles. The hurdles only test the commitment and strength of character. The NATA governing board, the convention committee of NATA only showed their unresolved determination, and the result is glorifying.
The convention flagged off with a grand welcome dinner under the leadership of Banquet Chair Madhusudan Mallu and his team while the elite Telugu community attended the grand curtain raiser event of the 3-day convention.
Anup Rubens entertained the audience with foot tapping songs, heeding to a roaring request from the audience. About 5000 people attended the banquet dinner and set the tone for the following 2 days.
Day 2 started with a grand Poorna Kumbham procession led by NATA President Dr. Sridhar Korsapati alongside family and NATA Convener NMS Reddy alongside his family, followed by the high stake’s Inaugural song performance. The performance had over 250 performers, articulating the rich Telugu culture and heritage can easily be termed as the best program of the event, and rightly the opening program for the Convention. The event was followed by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s speech deliverance to over 3000 attendees in the morning. The event was moderated by entrepreneur and Philanthropist Sudhakar Pennam.
Later in the day India’s most sensational director Ram Gopal Varma struck a chord with the audience with his witty conversations. He stated he was immensely happy seeing so many Telugu origin people in one place. Artist Ali amused with his dance steps and the entire crowd went taping their foot with the evening going high with dance, music. Famous Tollywood Choreographer Annie master engaged the audience with a captivating performance, while being assisted with local kids.
S.S. Thaman stole the Saturday evening with his mesmerizing music and ensured the crowd is glued to his music. It was spell-bending performance by his entire musical group. The evening ended with a high note setting tone for the grand showdown for Sunday.
Sunday morning started off with the Almighty divine, Lord of Kaliyuga, bestower of boon Lord Venkateshwara’s Kalyanam by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. TTD Chair Hon’ble Y.V. Subba Reddy was present for the event. Among others present at the event were Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy MP Rajya Sabha, APNRT Chair Venkat Medapati, MLAs Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, YSRCP social media In charge Sajjala Bhargava, AP Special Representative Ratnakar Pandugayula, BJP AP state Secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy among others. The event was chaired by Mallik Avula, coordinated by Gautham Miyapuram, and advised by Sudha Kondepu.
Later in the evening, the event was flagged off by performances, witnessed by crowd who had a lasting impression about the quality and the intricate details of the programs. Led by cultural chair Dr. Darga Nagireddy and chair Arya Bommineni the evening was witnessed by many.
NATA Service award was given to Dr. Raghava Reddy Gosala for the years 2019-21 for excellence in the area of community service. Dr. Prem Reddy, Advisory Council Chair Emeritus gave the award with the NATA Governing Board thanking his service to people in Andhra Pradesh and United States.
NATA Lifetime achievement award was then presented to Dr. Prem Reddy, unanimously selected by the NATA Advisory Council and the Governing Board. Dr. Prem Reddy thanked the Telugu people across the world for their endless admiration towards him.
Yet the evening was reserved for the best portion of the convention. DeviSri Prasad took the people by storm with his performance, reminding and reinstating that he is one of the finest performers in the music industry. The entourage that came with him kept the crowd wanting for more, lest they be deprived of some good musical numbers.
People were highly content with the rich literary programs, alumni, decoration, vendor booths and other accommodations done by NATA. Mahi V. Raghav released a massive spoiler of his upcoming directorial venture Yatra 2 (sequel to Yatra movie) that was met with an outstanding applause in the arena!
Hon’ble Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy sent an exclusive video clip to all Telugu people residing in North America and congratulated Dr. Prem Reddy, Dr. Sridhar Korsapati among others.
The public acceptance and support of the convention was evident, when the Convention center management had to turn down entry for over 2000 people, as the auditorium with capacity of 15,000 was packed to its capacity.
Asked about the secret of their success in conducting the event in just 5 months, President Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, Convener NMS Reddy, Coordinator Dr. Rami Reddy Buchipudi responsible for the execution of the event said, more than 42 committees and 1000 volunteers have worked round the clock to make the event successful. They said, that, the teams worked seamlessly, helping each other above and beyond their defined roles.
The North American Telugu Convention team expressed their sincere appreciation for the media institutions for their support in spreading the message and rallying the support of the Telugu Community across the world.
The success of the North America Telugu Convention was a welcome change especially post COVID pandemic. The guests left Dallas, TX with fullest content and thanked Texans for their unparalleled hospitality!
