TasiNZ celebrated Ugadi - the Telugu New Year in Christchurch last month

TasiNZ, or the Telugu Association of South Island New Zealand, an informal group in existence since 2006, celebrated Ugadi - the Telugu New Year in Christchurch last month. Ugadi, as it is called in the Deccan region of India, marks the commencement of the Hindu New Year by recognising a change in the lunar orbit. (picture credit: TasiNZ)

It also signals the advent of Spring. The first day of bright half of the lunar month Chaitra is considered to be the day for Ugadi celebration, which generally falls in the months of March/April of the English calendar. Diwakar Kandula, a researcher at the Lincoln University, and one of the founding members of TasiNZ, informed, “We had 80 people attending the festivities, which included prayers, dance and Telugu song performances. The evening ended with dinner. This year, we also appreciated the achievements of our children in academics, sports, and extra curricular activities, by distributing certificates of excellence.”