TANA Foundations’s Annamayya swaramrutam – a smashing success in Massachusetts

Under the stewardship of Sri. Sashikant Vallepalli, TANA Foundation Trustee and BOT Chairman of TAGB, and Dr. Bhupatiraju Pandeti, a devotional musical event “Annamayya Swaramrutam” was organized in Bellingham High School of MA on July 21^st to the delight of both devotees of Lord Venkateshwara and music lovers.

The soulful musical program opened with prayer songs rendered by Sri. Srinivas Bala and Smt. Mahati.  This was followed by traditional lamp lighting ceremony and the chief guests, Sri Ika Ravi, reputed industrialist and his wife, Dr. Gayatri devi, presided over this.  Well-known Kuchipudi teacher, Smt. Sailaja Tummla, along with 4 of her students danced to Ganapathi Pancharatna stotram invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesh.

An AV presentation on TANA Foundation’s charitable work in India showcased the organization’s dedication to social causes and received a lot of attention and support from audience.

Smt. Sobharaju took the stage after this and gracefully took the attendees on a divine musical tour for nearly 2 hours – soulfully rendering well-known keertanas penned by Annamayya.  She also thrilled the audience by singing songs she herself wrote and composed.  Local singers supported her with well-balanced chorus singing.  Each song ended with a resounding chant of ‘Govinda naamas’.

Interested and enthusiastic local singers with varying skill levels were placed into 4 groups and were given an opportunity to render one Annamayya keertana each on the stage under Smt. Sobharaju’s supervision.  The singers were overjoyed with this and sang their hearts out and received blessings from Smt. Sobharaju.  Sri Ayyappa Raju on Keyboard and Sri Tatikonda Mohan on tabla skillfully provided the much-needed instrumental support for the entire program.  Smt. Sobharaju was felicitated with great reverence after the program.  Sri .Krishna Vempati, smt. Satya Parakala, Smt. Nagasree Chakka, and Smt. Padmaja Surapaneni emceed the event.

Dr. Bhupatiraju Pandeti thanked Smt. Sobharaju and all performers, TANA Foundation, all volunteers and supporters for making the event a success.  A sumptuous dinner was served at the end of the event.  Green Team members reduced the impact of the event on the environment by using reusable glasses, bowls, and by collecting used plastic cutlery for cleaning and recycling.  They also collected wasted food for composting.

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