Andhra Assn hosts garden picnic

CHICAGO, IL — When the whole world was celebrating the Father’s Day, Chicagoland witnessed another spectacular event conducted by Chicago Andhra Association where hundreds of Telugu people cherished the back-home memories.

The Andhra heritage and culture was bought to Chicago, when Chicago Andhra Association, fondly known as ‘CAA family’, celebrated Vanabhojanalu–a garden picnic in pure authentic Andhra style .

About 500 people from both states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana enjoyed the hospitality, particularly during a Sahapankthi Bhojanam, a traditional way of taking lunch in the way back home–in a banana leaf, with Pulihora and other Andhra-style curries served by Hosts.

All the food planning was led by Anu Gampala, Suresh Sanakkayala and Sujatha Appalaneni and serving was led by Vani Dittakavi, Sunitha Rachapalli and Neelima Boddu. Guests also enjoyed the fresh, tasty and hot corn and chicken off the grill cooked up by Srihari Jasti, Srikrishna Matukumalli and Sailesh Maddi.

Elders present lauded CAA’s efforts to restore the culture for next generation, saying this gave an opportunity to explain a few traditions to their grandchildren.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from CAA president Sundar Dittakavi, secretary Dinkar Karumuri, treasurer Raghav Jatla, APDFNA director Padma Rao Appalaneni and CAA founder chairman Srinivas Pedamallu.