Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Jayanthi (Sri Vasavi Jayanthi) was celebrated at Mahatma Gandhi Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on Monther's Day May 10th 2009. Around 150 people turned up for the pooja.

The Pooja started at around 11:00 am and lasted for couple of hours. This year Vasavi Matha Idols donated by Akhila Bharath Sri Vasavi Penugonda Trust and NRIVA were distributed to all devotees and were used in performing Saamuhika Vasavi Matha Pooja. St. Louis Vasavites passed a resolution at the event to request Hindu Temple of St. Louis to install Vasavi Matha Idol in the Temple and pledged donations towards this. The Pooja was followed by Lunch. The event was coordinated by Pandiri Srinivas with the help of St Louis Vasavites. Organizers informed that this event will be organized every year in co-ordination with NRIVA Mother's Day celebrations that take place all over USA.

Telugu Association of Saint Louis as celebrated Virodhi Naama Samvatsara Ugadi on Saturday, April 4th at Parkway Central High School, Ballwin, MO. The event started with and authentic Andhra (South Indian) Dinner followed by Panchanga Shravanam by Priest. Various Cultural Events were performed by both children and Adults. Prizes were distributed at the end of the event for all the performers.

Ugadi is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand. Ugadi is celebrated on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and Ugadi marks the first day of the new year.

Telugu calendar has a sixty year cycle and starts the new year on ugadi(Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami). After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts again with the first year.Ugadi is based on Bhaskara II lunar calculations in 12th century. It starts on the first new moon after Sun crosses equator from south to north on Spring Equinox.

Saturday 28th Feb 2009 marked the first ever Winter Festival organized by CASI (Cultural Association of South India) at the Mahatma Gandhi Center in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 300 people in attendance. The festivities started with a sumptuous South Indian dinner, cooked by members and some popular North Indian dishes catered from St.Louis Indian restaurants.

The colorful and extravagant cultural events were kicked off in the professionally decorated auditorium with an invocation in praise of Lord Ganesha by Tarun Pasupuleti and Bharadwaj Jilakara. CASI Youth Club members, Aditya Subbarao and Lalitha Jilakara were the anchors for the event and did a wonderful job of keeping the audience engaged.

In his inaugural speech, President Mr. Ravi Pasupuleti reiterated that “a non-profit organization is 100% successful only when each and every member contributes towards the organizational goals in some way”. Amidst thundering applause, he emphasized that the Executive and Working Committees were determined to make CASI a role model amongst all organizations of Indian origin in United States by offering year-long value-added programs like Youth Club, Educational programs like teaching South Indian languages, inviting prominent speakers to conduct youth seminars and other unique projects for the benefit of the community.

With an aim to achieve Unity in Diversity, CASI encouraged all the Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam members to participate and as a result, cultural items like “Pachai Nilame”, “Kannan Madhura Geetham”, “Mukunda Mukunda” and “Kannan Tumpi” enthralled the audience. “Indian Freedom Fighters”, a multimedia play was the highlight of the evening where the students of ManaBadi Telugu classes demonstrated their skill and abilities by taking the audience back to pre-independence days. This play was put together by Dr. Rani Karnati who heads the CASI Education Committee. Plenty of traditional and contemporary dance items, live violin and keyboard concerts, comedy skit, karaoke songs and last but not the least, the graceful dance item “Ghanana Ghana” by Lalitha Jilakara and Trushna Pasupuleti kept the audience charmed all along, thanks to a wonderful job done by the Cultural Committee headed by Ms. Deepthi Bendapudi.

CASI also started a new tradition of recognizing and felicitating members. Dr. Gayathri Venkataraman, a prominent Women’s Health expert and the 2009 Yellow Rose Award winner from the Zonta International Organization was honored. Youth members Rishub Keelara, Aditya Subbarao, Maheetha Bharadwaj, Lalitha Jilakara and Bharadwaj Jilakara were also recognized as youth making a difference in our community and achieving remarkable milestones. All the participating kids were also awarded certificates of appreciation.

CASI extends heartfelt thanks to Ms. Shubha Subbarao (Vice President), Mr. Narayanan Sangameswaran (Secretary), Mr. Prasad Jilakara (Joint Secretary), Mr. Sudhakar Kalwa (Treasurer), Mr. Kishore Janga (Technology Committee), Mr. Shyam Purshottam (Technology Committee), Ms. Lakshmi Jilakara (Food Committee), Ms. Lakshmi Pasupuleti (Food Committee) and several other volunteers without whose help the celebrations wouldn’t have been possible.

The colorful festivities came to an end with all the children gathering on the stage to sing the Indian National Anthem. For pictures from the event and a list of future activities, please visit the website, www.stlcasi.org.

Republic Day Celebrated in Saint Louis, MO by Indian Association of St.Louis @ Mahatma Gandhi Center

SANKRANTHI (PONGAL) SAMBARALU 2009 WAS CONDUCTED @ PARKWAY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL in St.Louis on Saturday, January 17th 2009 by Telugu Association of St.Louis. The Chief Guest for this event was Mayor of Ellisville Mr. Matt Pirrello. Around 700 people from Telugu Community participated in the event. The event started with Rangoli and Pongal cooking competitions followed by Dinner and Cultural Events. Various Cultural Events were performed by both children and Adults. Prizes were distributed at the end of the event for all the performers.

Sankranthi or Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent. This is a harvest fesival celebrated not only all over India but other South East Asian Counties as well.

Makara Sankranti has special geo-agri-economical significance to people of Indian Sub-Continent. Makara Sankaranti is about transition of Sun into Capricorn on it's celestial path.(Sankarnti being Sanskrit for transition ). This is significant considering Winter Solstice marking gradual increase of duration of day. Also traditionally this has been one of many (considering vastness of land and climatic variation )harvest days.

The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti. Sankramana means "to commence movement" and hence the name Makara Sankranti given to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian subcontinent. It usually falls in the middle of January. Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and position in the context of north or south of India.

AYYAPPA MANDALA POOJA WAS CONDUCTED @ The Hindu Temple of St.Louis on Thursday, December 25th 2008. Hundreds of Deveotees participated in the Manadala Pooja.

St.Louis Indian Community gathered to-gether to Pay Homage to Victims of Mumbai Attacks!!! at Mahatma Gandhi Center on Saturday, December 6th

Indian Association of St.Louis has Conducted India Nite 2008 at Mahatma Gandhi Center on Saturday, November 1st

There was a good turnout of audience and everyone enjoyed the food sold by Indian Association to raise funds for the association and also lot of cultural activities were performed by Kids as well as Adults.

NOTE: Please contact NamaskarDesi.com @ 314-324-5731 for High Resolution Photos.

Telugu Association of St.Louis has organized the event on Friday, October 27th at Lafayette High School, St.Louis, MO.

Fun Star Shiva Reddy, Singer Vijaya Laxmi and Actress Ruthika has entertained the St.Louis Audience for more than 3 hours. Shiva Reddy has exhibhited his talent in Mimicry, Dancing and also Singing. Vijaya Laxmi has sung some beautiful melodies from Old times. She also sang songs from Latest Telugu hit movies. Ruthika mesmerized the audience with her scintillating dance numbers. Shiva Reddy too joined Ruthika in couple of Dance sequences.

The night belonged to Shiva Reddy. He rocked the show all through the night. Apart from imitating voices of famous Telugu film actors, he even performed their dance mannerisms.

The organizers presented Mementos to the Performers. At the end of the show, interested audience took photographs with their favorite performers.

NOTE: Please contact NamaskarDesi.com @ 314-324-5731 for High Resolution Photos.

Telugu Association of St.Louis celebrated Deepavali on Saturday, October 18th at Mahatma Gandhi Center, St.Louis, MO.

Around 500 people participated in the event. Various Cultural Events were performed by both children and Adults. Prizes were distributed at the end of the event for all the performers. The event followed by dinner with authentic Andhra (South Indian) Food

Telugu Associatio of St.Louis also conducted elections to elect it's Executive Committee for the years 2009 and 2010. Suren Pathuri was elected as the President. Tata Prasad was elected as Vice-President. Rao Chilakala was elected Unopposed as Secretary. Sharath Rao was elected Unopposed as Treasurer. SriRam Vedire was elected Unopposed as Parliamentarian.

The newly elected Committee Members Thanked all the Association Members for electing them to the Executive Committee.

NOTE: Please contact NamaskarDesi.com @ 314-324-5731 for High Resolution Photos.

Telangana Development Forum, USA (TDF-USA) St. Louis chapter has celebrated its annual Bathukamma festival and picnic at Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, near St. Louis on Sunday September 28.
The idea is to preserve the tradition followed in the Telangana region, bringing the families together and have fun playing games, meet the people and enjoy the food. This year, the event attracted about 400 people. Bathukamma is a unique festival of flowers celebrated in Telangana during September-October. Bathukamma comes during the latter half of monsoon. Bathukamma is celebrated by the women folk of Telangana for nine days beginning from the Padyami (first day) of the month Asvayuja (September-October).

Women arranged flowers on a plate in a cylindrical manner, and brought their arrangement for the gathering in the park, and danced around it in synchronising steps and claps in unison and sang folk songs. Children and women gathered in large numbers and participated in the festival. After the dance and prayers, these Batukammalu are immersed in the Meramec River.

Prizes were given to Best Bathukammas. These prizes are sponsored by Gagracholi.com and Namaskardesi.com. To encourage participation, participant prizes were given to all the people who prepared Bathukamma. Apart from this, various games were conducted for Men, Women and Children and prizes were distributed.

Organizers and most of the participants brought food and everyone enjoyed the food a lot. Event was also sponsored by Gagracholi.Com, NamaskarDesi.Com, Seema Enterprise, Ambica Foods, India Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Bombay Grill. Organizers mentioned that they will conduct the event every year.

The Second South Asia Heritage Fair conducted at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St.Charles on Sunday, September 7th 2008 was a Grand Success. More than 60 Vendor stalls provided Ethnic Art, Handicrafts, Jewelry, Clothing, Food and Culture. The Cultural Programs performed by various Local Institutes, organizations and Individuals cheered the audience for three to four hours. Kids had fun with Bouncer and Giant Slides. An estimated Ten Thousand people turned up for the event. "I am happy that the tradition I started last year is well received by everyone." said Rao Chilakala, The Organizer of South Asia Heritage Fair.

"I never had an opportunity to taste so many varieties of South Asian Food elsewhere" exclaimed Rick from St.Louis. The highlight of the Fair was a Vendor from Georgia who exhibited huge collection of Traditional Frames. "We got a good response and people has shown interest in our Institute" said a vendor representing ENOPI. The event was widely publicized by the KWMU Radio - 90.7 FM and supported by all the local businesses and South Asian Organizations.

NOTE: Please Contact Namaskardesi.com for High Resolution Photos or want to add pictures taken by you.

The First ever Live Telugu Musical Concert conducted in St.Louis was a feast for the ears for the Telugu Music Lovers. SWARABRAMHA MANISHARMA's LIVE MUSICAL CONCERT 2008 started with "Reverse Gear" Guru Swamy the master of ceremony introducing Manisharma's team in his unique comic style

The music journey started with popular songs sung by Malavika, Mallikarjun, Vijayalaxmi, Murali, Hemachandra and Kousalya. The singers enthralled the audience by singing songs from all time hit movies like, Pokiri, Indra, Tagore to the latest hits like Chirutha, Kantri etc. The evening musical hits also included Old Melodies originally sung by the Great Singer Ghantasala too.

Highlight of the night was the performance by "Reverse Gear" Guruswamy who sung some popular songs in the reverse order and also amazed the crowd with his bone tickling jokes. The audience were also impressed by the non-stop performance by Orchestra team.

The organizers presented mementos to Manisharma and his team. Fans posed for the photos with their favorite singers after the show.

NOTE: Please Contact Namaskardesi.com for High Resolution Photos.

Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Jayanthi (Sri Vasavi Jayanthi) was celebrated at Mahatma Gandhi Center in St.Louis on Monther's Day. Many people turned up for the pooja.

The Pooja started at around 11:00 am and lasted for couple of hours. Devotees participated in the pooja enthusiastically by doing bhajans and singing Keertans on Sri Vasavi Maatha. The Pooja was followed by Lunch. The event was organized by Dr. Ramulu Samudrala, Rao Chilakala and P. Srinivas.

The organizers told Namaskardesi.com that they are planning to conduct sri Vasavi Maatha Jayanthi every year on Mother's Day as a tribute to the Mothers.

Diamond Ring Raffle was conducted by Shri Vardhaman Jewels Inc on Mother's Day. Several people were qualified for the Raffle based up on the items that they bought and many have also received Pearl Mala for Free.

A young Boy from Syamala Devi's Family has picked up the lucky person that Won the "Diamond Ring" and the lucky person was KAMALJEET GHARIYAL from Ellisville, MO.

Indian Association of St.Louis conducted Spring Festival on Saturday, May 3rd at Mahatma Gandhi Center, St.Louis, MO. As part of the celebrations a Health Camp was also organized at Mahatma Gandhi Center. Several Doctors participated in the Health Camp and also there was a good turn out of the people.

Cultural Activities were conducted in the evening. IAS also sold snacks before the cultural program. Several kids participated and performed in the cultural activities. The performances given by the kids enthralled the audience.

Telugu Association of Saint Louis as celebrated Sarwadhari Naama Samvatsara Ugadi on Saturday, April 12th at Gandhi Center. The event started with Panchanga Shravanam by Priest Srinivas garu. Various Cultural Events were performed by both children and Adults. 23 Months baby has also participated in the cultural events. Prizes were distributed at the end of the event for all the performers. The event followed by dinner with authentic Andhra (South Indian) Food.

Ugadi is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand. Ugadi is celebrated on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and Ugadi marks the first day of the new year.

Telugu calendar has a sixty year cycle and starts the new year on ugadi(Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami). After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts again with the first year.Ugadi is based on Bhaskara II lunar calculations in 12th century. It starts on the first new moon after Sun crosses equator from south to north on Spring Equinox.

Sathwik Katragadda (11) a sixth-grader at Fort Zumwalt West Middle School in O'Fallon MO was declared as the winner of 22nd Annual Post-Dispatch/Maryville University SPELLING BEE Contest in Saint Louis.He was awarded this after correctly spelling "propinquity" and "mitochondria". Last year Sathwik made it to fifth round of the regional competition.Now he will represent Saint Louis at the NATIONAL SPELLING BEE in Washington on May 29 and 30.

Venkat Katragadda and Sree, parents of Sathwik were present at the contest to support there son.After the competition, last year's St. Louis winner, came over to congratulate Sathwik and his family. NamaskarDesi.Com Wishes Good Luck to Sathwik for his NATIONAL SPELLING BEE Contest. If you or any one that you know can help out Sathwik in preparation for this, please contact NamaskarDesi.Com at info@namaskardesi.com

Note: Please let NamaskarDesi.com know about such Achievements in the South Asian Community.

Sankranthi Festival was organized by Telugu Association of St.Louis at Gandhi Center on Saturday, January 19th 2008. Around 250 people participated in the event. Various Cultural Events were performed by both children and Adults. Prizes were distributed at the end of the event for all the performers. The event followed by dinner with authentic Andhra (South Indian) Food like Punugulu, Mamidikai (Mango) Dal, Sambhar, Spicy Chutneys e.t.c.,.Local Priya restaurant sponsored couple of items.

Sankranthi or Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent. This is a harvest fesival celebrated not only all over India but other South East Asian Counties as well.

Makara Sankranti has special geo-agri-economical significance to people of Indian Sub-Continent. Makara Sankaranti is about transition of Sun into Capricorn on it's celestial path.(Sankarnti being Sanskrit for transition ). This is significant considering Winter Solstice marking gradual increase of duration of day. Also traditionally this has been one of many (considering vastness of land and climatic variation )harvest days.

The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti. Sankramana means "to commence movement" and hence the name Makara Sankranti given to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian subcontinent. It usually falls in the middle of January. Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and position in the context of north or south of India.

Bathukamma is a festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, celebrated by women in the months of September or October (Aswiyuja), just before Dussera. Batuku means live, and Amma means girl or a female, hence Batukamma. Batukamma celebrates the glory of Gauri- the patron Goddess of womanhood.

Bathukamma Festival was organized by Telangana NRIs in St.Louis in Route 66 State Park. Around 400 people participated in the event.

Women arranged flowers on a plate in a cylindrical manner, and brought their arrangement for the gathering in the park, and danced around it in synchronising steps and claps in unison and sang folk songs. Children and women gathered in large numbers and participated in the festival. After the dance and prayers, these Batukammalu are immersed in the Meramec River.

Prizes were given to Best Bathukammas. These prizes are sponsored by Gagracholi.com and Namaskardesi.com. To encourage participation, participant prizes were given to all the people who prepared Bathukamma. Apart from this, various games were conducted for Men, Women and Children and prizes were distributed.

Organizers and most of the participants brought food and everyone enjoyed the food a lot. Couple of Food items were also sponsored by Ruchi India Cuisine, Priya Restaurant and Ambika Foods. PopCorn (sponsored by Namaskardesi.com) and Pizza was a delight to the children. Door prize was sponsored by Seema Enterprises. Telangana Development Forum (TDF) is also one of the sponsor for the event. Organizers mentioned that they will conduct the event every year.

This event was organized by Sri Ram Vadire, Rao Chilakala, Yadava Raju, Venkat Devara, Anil Aleti, Nand Kishore, Bhaskar Tipparti, Praveen Kumar Singirikonda, Harish Dhanalakota, Sridhar Kodati, Kamalakar Perma, Rajender Ponugoti etc.

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SOUTH ASIA HERITAGE FAIR conducted at Columns Banquet Center in St.Charles opened doors to explore South Asian Culture by people of St.Louis. Various South Asian Associations, Non-Profit Organizations, cultural groups and various Businesses came forward to participate in the First Ever South Asia Heritage Fair organized and promoted by Rao Chilakala, a St. Charles resident originally from Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, India.
"It's not only to promote the culture, I just want them to feel like they are in their homeland." said Rao Chilakala. Thousands of people from various ethnic backgrounds participated and made the Fair a Grand Success.

"We had a great opportunity to promote our business by reaching out to many people" said Mr. Jairaj from Shri Vardhaman Jewels. More than 40 vendor stalls offered ethnic Handicrafts, Traditional clothing, Jewelry and Authentic food. Kids kept themselves busy at the Kids corner. "Our Family had a great time exploring cultures and it looked like everyone had a lot of fun! Here's to SAHF 2008!" said Kendra from St.Louis.