AN INDIAN New Year festival was celebrated in Basingstoke.

Organised by the Telugu Association of Basingstoke (TAB-UK), which represents those from South India living in the town, the event at Carnival Hall included dancing, singing and games to entertain the children.

A Ugadi tradition was performed at the event, when the yearly horoscopes were read out for each of the 12 lunar signs.

Children from the Telugu School, run by volunteers from TAB-UK at Carnival Hall, sang to the audience.

Those attending the celebration also enjoyed a traditional Indian meal as well as a special dish consisting of six different tastes which symbolise the different elements of life – sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise.

Sreeni Vavilala, a committee member for TAB-UK, said: “Around 150 people attended the event – not only from Basingstoke but also from the Midlands and London.

“All the people who attended the event had great fun. This event gave a chance for members of the South Indian community to celebrate the biggest festival in the calendar as a community event.”

source: http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk / Basingstoke Gazette / Home> News / by Emily Robert, Chief Reporter / May 02nd, 2013