Vibrant colors and lively music were commonplace at the Quad Cities Telugu Sangham’s annual Ugadi program. One of the many initiatives of the QCTS is to create an Indian cultural conclave, and the program did just that, bringing in over 300 attendees.
Founded in 1973, Telugu families from the greater Quad City region came together to establish an organization aimed to maintain the heritage of their language and culture through social, cultural and charitable events like establishing a Telugu school and sponsoring a PVHS foundational scholarship.
Beyond cultural events, the Telugu Sangham supports PVHS through its foundational scholarship, which is awarded annually to a senior who displays exceptional academic capabilities.
One of these many initiatives to preserve Telugu culture is the annual Ugadi program. “The Ugadi program allows kids to still participate in Telugu customs even though they are thousands of miles away from India,” said junior Nishita Gudipati.
Occurring in spring, Ugadi is a Hindu festival celebrated by Telugus to commemorate the new year. Celebrations include prayers and connecting with the broader community.
For students who have lived in the United States for years, Ugadi is a tie back to celebrations in India. “Celebrating Ugadi allows me to connect with my heritage and culture even though I live in the United States.”
The Ugadi program features a variety of performances from cultural vocal performances to dances. Local students immerse themselves in the program as attendees, anchors and performers. “I love attending the Ugadi program to see everyone immerse themselves in their culture and heritage. It is really nice to be surrounded by such a vibrant community and to be together during such a festive time,” said senior Prithikha Paranidharan.
The importance of cultural programs transcends global bounds. By retaining pieces of Telugu culture, Indians in the Quad City community are able to celebrate their heritage despite being thousands of miles away from India.
