Telugu literary Cultural and Art Association
Diwali Function in New York
 

The TLCA has celebrated the Diwali in New York with much fanfare and the attendance was overwhelming by all standards. Its was by far one of the best festivals witnessed and the programme and performance gave a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage that we inherit and kudos to the organizers and the performers for giving the best.

The following is the excerpts from the interview with Sri Prasad Kambharpatty, Vice President of TLCA by our correspondents Jagdeep Trivedi.

Jagdeep Trivedi: Please tell us about your organization?

Prasad Kambharpatty: TLCA is formed since 1973 and has always been the torch bearer for the people from Andhra Pradesh and has been doing all types of cultural programmes here in New York.

Jagdeep Trivedi: Do you conduct any other activity other than the diwali function?

Prasad Kambharpatty: Yes we do have about four functions which we conduct in a year, so technically we meet atleast four times a year and give great performances in art, dance and drama and poetry.

Jagdeep Trivedi: do you conduct any activity for the telugu children born here or the second generation American Indians?
Prasad Kambharpatty: yes we had a telugu school in long island which was in a house of one of the telugu patron and here we teach all the kids telugu. We help them learn how to read and write telugu and teach them kuchipudi dance and telugu folk songs Etc.

Jagdeep Trivedi: Sir what is the long term goal of your association and how do you plan to achieve them.

Prasad Kambharpatty: TLCA is the first telugu organization in USA and has for years endeavoured to give the best for the next generation telugu population in the tri-state area and we have programmes to help people in Andhra Pradesh.

Jagdeep Trivedi: what is the contribution of telugu Americans in politics in India.

Prasad Kambharpatty: well we have a first NRI minister and MP from Andhra who is serving the nation and bringing new ideas and new blood to rejuvenate the political arena in India with a clean image and zeal to serve the telugu population.