"Relish the richness of the Indian classical music and recognize the extraordinary contributors” is the theme of the afternoon gathered at the Manske Library, Farmers Branch, TX as a part of the “Classical Carnatic Vocal Conert”by Smt. Peddada Surya Kumari hosted by the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) on Sunday, May 09, 2010. TANA, founded in 1977, is one of the oldest and largest Indo- American national-level organizations with its charter to perpetuate, integrate, and assimilate the cultural heritage of the Telugu-speaking people of the North American continent into the mainstream of the cultural heritage of North America. This program was co-hosted by the Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX), founded in 1986 as a non-profit, non-religious organization to maintain, preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage of Telugu speaking people of North Texas.

Mr. Prasad Thotakura, Executive Vice President of TANA reiterated TANA’s continued focus on serving the Telugu community with result oriented programs and enabling a new breed of ambassadors to bring the community together. Dr. Subbarao Ponnuru, Chair, Cultural Committee, TANTEX extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and a room full of local Telugu community members in attendance. Dr. Narasimha Reddy Urimindi, Chair, Literary Committee, TANTEX in his introduction of the chief guest said “Mrs. Peddada Surya Kumari was born in Tadepalligoodem and presently lives in Kakinada, East Godavari district. She is highly accomplished vocalist and is an “A” grade artist in Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Mrs. Peddada started learning music with penchant as little child. She started her formal training under Mr. Tirupathi Gopala Krishna. Later she honed her skill under the expert tutelage of eminent artists Mr. BV Raman and Mr. Lakshman of Chennai, Mr. KLN Sastry of Delhi and perfected rendering Purandaradas compositions from Kallegal R. Subrahmanyam and  Prof. T. R. Subrahmanyam of Delhi. Mrs. Surya Kumari is endowed with a melodious and resonant voice. She is an accomplished Veena artist as well. She has given many musical concerts throughout India and abroad. She has been bestowed with “Swara Bharathi”, “Sangeeta Vidwanmani”, “Sangeeta Saraswati” and “Gana Kala Nidhi” titles.

Mr. Gopal Ponangi, Dallas area radio host took the honor of introducing the talented Mridangam player Mr. Srinivas Ponnappan who accompanied Mrs. Peddada. Mr. Ponnappan has been performing for overtwo decades in India and abroad with various senior artists. Dr. Ponnuru introduced the equally talented Mr. Narasimha Kikkeri, the violinist who mastered his skill under the able guidance of Mr. S. Mahadevappa and performed with eminent artists in India and abroad.

It was a breath taking performance by the Mrs. Suryakumari and her team presenting a good mix of classical songs with rich spiritual, musical and literary values. Mrs. Peddada performed over half dozen classical songs, such as, Raagam-Kalyani, Keertana-Varnam;, Raagam-Hamsadhwani, Keertana-Vaathaapi Ganapathim bhaje; Raagam-Ravi Chandrika, Keertana-Niravadhi sukha; Raagam-Jonepuri, Keertana-Muruganai; Raagam-Abheri, Keertana-Nagumomu; Raagam-Guru Udhwani, Keertana-Tatwa mariya taramaa. The program concluded with the traditional “Mangalam”.

The “Classical Carnatic team was recognized and felicitated with a Certificate of Appreciation and a bouquet of flowers by the prominent local Dallas classical music stalwarts Mrs. Lakshmi Gunturi and Mrs. Santha Puligandla, TANA executive team starting with Mr. Prasad Thotakura, Executive Vice President, Mr. Ram Yalamanchali, Treasurer, and the TANTEX team lead by Mr. Chandra Kanneganti, President, Dr. Ponnuru and Dr. Urimindi.

The astonishing musical concert came to an end with the vote of thanks to the audience for their attendance, volunteers who spent countless hours of valuable time, the city of Farmers Branch for excellent facilities and great ambiance for the concert.