East follows West & West follows East We, in India and many Eastern Countries follow in blind unison the Western Countries in everything that we are doing today right from eating habits, listening to music or trying to mimic the Hollywood actors while talking angrezi The Reverse is happening in the other lands where they are immensely interested in the Great Civilisations of East from India and China. Do we have to do this and why do we do this-is it trying to see something new that we have not seen before or do things the strange way which we do not want to say uncultural or is it exploring the unexplored. The Tyagaraja Festival of Chicago conducted for last 30 years is a great reminder for all of us, Indians where our roots are. It is watching those thousands of young ones from all parts of India settled in suburbs of the state of Illinois enthralling us with their music which is pure gold to the ears of any music lovers from this part of our Country.
Music embodiments Gnana and Bhakti (Knowledge & devotion) according to Late C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and when it is written by Saint Composer Tyagaraja in praise of my Lord Rama, it has to become eternal. Eterenal because it has crossed the test of time and space and become universally acclaimed as the root of Carnatic music.
Saint Tyagaraja-Trinity of Carnatic music Saint Tyagaraja is considered the trinity of Carnatic Music along with Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Shyama shastri. Born in Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu to Telugu Brahmin family on May 4, 1767, he was Initiated to Rama bhakti by his father. His life and times was dedicated to “ Rama taraka Mantra “ which gave us the great kritis of Carnatic Music-Pancharatna Krithis. It is believed that Tyagaraja completed chanting Rama nama 96 crore times in 38th year and had full vision of my Lord Rama in coronation. ’’Every Kirtana is a beautiful temple in which the great composer has installed the God of his heart for worship by those who sing and those who hear.’’ - Rajaji. Very unique in his style with vast repertoire of music that has the embodiments which I have mentioned earlier, they are also easily understandable by the layman which made these songs very popular in many Tamil and Telugu Movies as well.
Tyagaraja Festival-Music for Devotion and Salvation ’’Come one and all and sing for the salvation of humanity” -This is what the Tyagaraja Festival is all about. The Festival is conducted in several places in the world including the Birth place of Saint Tyagaraja in Tiruvaiyarau on the Pushya Bahula Panchami to pay homage to this God of music.-the day the saint attained Samadhi. You can see all the Carnatic music artistes great or not, young and old , aspirants and experts singing in one unison which takes you to the celestial world of Music and this is when you forget the surrounding and attain the highest salvation-Inner peace The songs rendered are the great Pancharatna Kritis called as Five gems of Carnatic music. They are
Jagadananda Karaka -Nattai Ragam Adi Talam –The songs is on the creator of Happiness in the world-the Lord of Lords, Suryavanshi Rama
Dudukugala - Gowlai Ragam Adi Talam –which prince will protect , me who does bad things, I keep on doing bad things every minute.
Sadhinchane - Arabhi Ragam Adi Talam-He has achieved, achieved what he wanted. He has preached and changed what he wanted ( Lord Krishna)
Kana Kana Ruchi Ra-Varali ragam Adi talam The more I see you, my ruchi for you increases, your flawless face of milk (Lord Rama)
Endharo Mahanubavulu- Sri Ragam Adi Talam There are so many great men in the world, my salutations to them. You are eternal in their hearts –the supreme Lord of all matters Believe me, once the five kritis are finished in unison by hundreds of singers-Masters and disciples, young and old, we all go in to a mode of ecstasy which is divine
Chicago festival-Carrying on rich tradition.
The Chicago Festival is being organized from 1977 with lot of verve and appreciation for the Carnatic music and development of the same in USA from 1977 and founded by Prof T.E.S Raghavan who is incidentally a Mathematics genius in Game Theory as well in Chicago University. The support from Dr Nagamani and Vidyasagar in conducting this utsavam for the last 10 years is unequivocal.
This year’s utasavam in Chicago from May 27-29 th had all the ingredients of Carnatic and devotional ensemble with the Concert of Dr M.Balamuralikrishna being the highlight. The program also included Vishnu Sahasranam chanting by young Indians and Aksharabhyasa sagara an innovative way of getting Children write manuscripts of skritis which is translated into a book.The usual dose of Pancharatna Kritis was the essence of the program.
If you want to teach your children Vishnushasranam, you can log on to https://tyagaraja-chicago.org to download the complete chant vocally.
(Readers, the original rev got sliced when MS changed to new look and hence the last part has been re edited due to original draft not having been saved by me. So I have lost continuity and hence my apologies.)