Chicago celebrates Tyagaraja Utsavam
Reported by Mukundagiri Sadagopan

During the Memorial Day weekend (May 24- 26, 2008) Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam (CTU), a not-for-profit organization, celebrated its 32nd annual music festival at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Illinois.
The main goal of CTU is to propagate Carnatic music and culture among the younger generation. Accordingly, CTU places great emphasis on promoting children and increasing their participation.
On May 24, about 250 children performed Tyagaraja's compositions. During the three days, the Utsavam offered more than a dozen events including six concerts by artistes from India.
For all programs, the combined audience head count was around 3600, and the performers' (professional and amateur) headcount exceeded 550. Over 300 volunteers worked through out the year to bring it all together. At no extra cost to the patrons, thousands of plates of meals and snacks were served during the Utsavam.

The Utsavam started on May 24 with Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram group recital followed by Pancharatna kritis group and homage to Tyagaraja by individuals and groups performing kritis by the saint. The day concluded with a Bharatnanatyam dance drama 'Annamayya Bhakti Manjari' by Sreekala Bharath and her group.
May 25 began with an instrumental group concert followed by advanced music students performing with mridangam and violin accompaniments. The next program was by children, who rendered Tyagaraja kritis in a western style orchestra.
During the rest of the day there were two vocal concerts, by T. M. Krishna (Dr. V. K. Venkataraman memorial concert) and Aruna Sairam respectively.

Nadawaram vidwans Subhan Kasim and Subhan Babu started May 26 proceedings with Tyagaraja's Melukovayya followed by children's Utsava Sampradaya Kritis at the Rama Sannidhi. The nadaswaram group then led a procession to the auditorium where the biggest chorus of the Utsavam took place - Utsava Sampradaya kritis by 96 children. There were three more vocal concerts that day- by Gundecha Brothers, Maharajapuram Santhanam and M. S. Sheela respectively.

The Utsavam came to a conclusion to the plaintive strains of Gitarthamu from a group of children. It is notable that all children were trained by 30 or so Illinois-based teachers though some students have become veterans of many a summer in India, learning advanced Carnatic music lessons directly from the masters of the art.
Children who performed were rewarded with gifts and certificates. They were photographed and videotaped to make this day memorable for them and to encourage them in their study of Carnatic music. The CTU brochure Tyagaraja Vijayam was published for this occasion.

The cost - from artistes' compensations to the cost of rental vans - went up significantly in 2008. Fortunately there were funding sources to keep the admission prices at reasonable levels. This Utsavam was sponsored in part by Nagamani & Vidhyasagar family. Many Annadhatas donated $500 each for the food. Many corporate sponsors provided matching contributions: Unilever, BP Amoco, Northern Trust, HSBC, McDonalds and CIGNA Foundation. The Utsavam was supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For up to date information on CTU activities please visit http://tyagaraja-chicago.org/