Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam (a non-profit organization) celebrated its 35th annual music festival during the Memorial Day weekend (May 28 - 30, 2011).

The three day festival offered 12 programs including 5 Carnatic music concerts and a dance by celebrity artists from India and other programs by local talents. The on-stage participants count was about 530 with the combined total audience for all the programs exceeding 4500. This is among the largest celebrations of its kind outside India.

Since the goal of CTU is to pass on our rich culture to the younger generation, the emphasis of the Utsavam was on children and youth performers.

Scores of musicians from India are touring the US, thriving on the patronage of their compatriots who arrived here during the past three decades. This market would shrink in ten years unless every stake-holder endeavors to inculcate the love of Carnatic music among the young, in large numbers. Awarding prizes to outstanding students and arranging numerous concerts are good, but not sufficient to raise a home-grown crop of rasikas. What is needed is to get a great many kids to learn and perform the music.
 

Accordingly, the first day, May 28, was devoted to amateurs. The first item was Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram followed by Chethulaara and the Pancharatna Kritis which had almost a hundred people on stage, including violins, veenas, mridangams and a flute. This was followed by eight hours of Homage to Tyagaraja by amateurs - mostly youth and children - rendition of Saint Tyagaraja's compositions.

The finale was a jam-packed performance of Kuchipudi Natya Saurabham dance by Guru Hari Ramamurthy of Kuchipudi Kalakshetra and party from India.

May 29th started with Divya Nama Sankeerthanam by a children’s group followed by six hours of kritis by advanced students. This was followed by two concerts by artists from India - Priya Sisters (vocal) and a Jugalbandhi by Shashank Subramanyam (Flute) and Purbayan Chatterjee (Sitar).
 

The last day started bright and early with Utsava Sampradaya Kritis by a group of children followed by a a procession led by Shubhan Kasim Brothers and Party playing dual Nadaswarams. The procession was modeled after the traditional Indian temple function, with children pulling Saint Tyagaraja's portrait kept on a decorated chariot.

The Kol-aattam by brightly dressed young children was a treat to watch, another high-light of this event. This event was followed by three more concerts, K. Gayathri (Vocal), Sankari Krishnan (Vocal) and T. N. Seshagopalan (Vocal). The Utsavam was concluded by Gitarthamu (Surati) rendered by - once again, a group of children.

For the first day’s lunch, over 850 people enjoyed an elaborate South Indian vegetarian feast cooked by experts from 125 local families, which many considered a ritual offering to the Saint. Lunch, dinner and snacks were served (included in the admission) during the three days so that the attendees did not have to run out for food between concerts or cook at home.
 

As the songs were being performed on stage, the lyrics and meanings of each Kriti was projected on a large screen in real time; in all, 150 different Kritis were performed. All children (about 300) were photographed and their performances were recorded both audio and video. Each child received a token gift and a certificate. CTU's annual magazine Tyagaraja Vijayam bearing articles by experts and local enthusiasts was also released.

The admission prices were kept low thanks to sponsorship by Nagamani & Vidhyasagar family and contributions from Patrons ($1000 and over), and Annadhatas ($500 and over). Many corporate sponsors provided matching contributions.

The Utsavam was supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency. All of the programs were held at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Illinois.