The history of telugu association in Nashville area
goes back to 1978. Telugu Association of Tennessee (TAT) was registered with the
State of Tenneesse and informal activities were organized by Sri Madhu Paruchuri.
For a few years, this organization was led by Sri Madhu Paruchuri and Smt
Jyotsna Paruchuri. As there were only a handful of telugu families in this area
at that time, the gatherings used to be rare, far apart and organized in
personal homes.
As the Telugu community started growing, it became
difficult for all Telugu families to stay in touch with each other. In 1995 Sri
Kodali Chakradhara Rao suggested to form Tennessee Andhra Samithi (TAS), so as
to help improve communication among Telugu families and celebrate Telugu
culture. This idea was endorsed by a majority of Telugu families and TAS was
formed on May 1, 1995. With the support of Telugu community, Sri Kodali
Chakradhara Rao and the then executive committee (Krishna Gummuluri, Ramesh
Aramandla, Hari (Harikrishna) Akunuri, Sambasiva Rao Gaddipati, Sreedevi Kari,
Samyuktha Reddy, Asha Rao Vallabhaneni) helped write a constitution for TAS
(July 14, 1995) and applied for non-profit status. The temporary non-profit
status for TAS was approved in July 1996. The permanent non-profit status was
awarded in 2000. To day TAS is an expanding non-profit organization serving more
than 100 Telugu families in and around Nashville area. Under the leadership of
different Presidents, TAS has successfully raised and donated funds for cyclone
victims in Andhra Pradesh and for Cargil conflict.
Policies of TAS
• Preserve, maintain, propagate and perpetuate the cultural heritage of the
people of Telugu origin
• Assist and propagate cultural, educational, social, economic, and community
affairs of the people of Telugu origin
• Promote establishment of Telugu organizations in regions of North America
where there are no such organizations
• Organize periodic Telugu literary, cultural, and educational meetings and
functions
• Foster friendship and understanding among people of Telugu and other
Communities
• To assist and help the needy in the community monetarily such as for higher
education and the terminally ill people
• To interact, communicate and coordinate with other Telugu Associations in
North America
• Raise, solicit, collect, and disburse funds, charities, and donations for
cultural, educational, and charitable purposes either directly or in cooperation
with other not-for-profit organizations in the U. S. and India.
Previous Presidents of TAS:
Sri Kodali, Chakradhara Rao(1995-1997); Smt Kambam, Hamsaveni(1997-1999); Sri
Paruchuri, Madhu(1999-2001); Smt Vallabhaneni, Asha Rao(2001-2003).
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