Sri Tyagaraja Utsavam at Bellingham High School: An evening of music Sruthilayalu, an organization that started to promote Carnatic music skills and awareness, including closely related art forms like Kuchipudi, among the local Indian, especially Telugu community, presented its program on September 26th , 2021, at Bellingham High School. The staging received critical acclaim and was a great debut that brought together many like-minded people under one roof. 

Sri Tyagaraja is the most prominent person in the history of southern Indian classical music, and he is venerated by contemporary Carnatic musicians. His Keerthanas about Supreme God are of delicate spirituality, full of melodic beauty and in the highest sense artistic. The program was titled ‘Sri Tyagaraja Utsavam’ and showcased the Divyanama Sankeertanalu and Utsava Sampradaya Keertanalu - different compositions by Sri Thyagaraja filled with the nectar of devotion. Sri Tyagaraja had composed 1,800 Kritis and had created operas namely “Prahlada Bhakthi Vijayam”, “Nowka Charitham” and “SitaRama Vijayam”. 

To pay homage and honor the works of great saint Tyagraja, what can be a better idea than the performance of Pancharathna Krithis, five of his compositions that came to be popularly known as the five gems! Even today Tyagraja is loved and admired for his five gems. He is and will always remain the role model for all who play and practice Carnatic music. The Pancharathna Krithis are: Jagadananda Karaka – Naata Ragam, Dudukugala - Gaula Ragam, Sadhinchene - Arabhi Ragam, Kanakana Ruchira - Varali Ragam and Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Sri Ragam. Divyanama Sankeertanalu were the highlight of the utsavam where the musician-leading, budding, learning, aspirants, joined irrespective of their music knowledge, got trained and practiced, to pay their musical homage to the saint composer which was blissful and soulful and presented pure pleasure in pristine form. 

The evening started with the release of a special video of Legend and untiring teacher, Sri Annavarapu Rama Swamy Garu who was conferred with Padma Shri award and who was the inspiration to the birth of Sruthilayalu in Boston. The samishti ganam was a grand affair comprising around 83+ singers, an ensemble orchestra on-stage with 3 violins, 1 veena, 2 Mridangams, 1 mandolin, and 1 flute. For several months, the 80+ dedicated participants had been practicing rigorously these keertanas in local groups throughout New England, devoting several long hours under guidance of local team leads. 

It was a great effort with all artists and enthusiasts singing in sync with the live orchestra. Well-known singers led the unified rendition. The keertanalu were musical gems; remarkable for their soulful music, inspired with rich lyrics and complex structure. Each of the compositions of Sri Thyagaraja was remarkable for the beauty of expression, devotional fervor, and literary excellence. 

The whole event had complete meaning when participants around the New England area (MA, CT, RI and NH) gathered and rendered the sweetest genres of Sri Tygaraja. The very idea of service to mankind through music has been accomplished in this event and the Sruthilayalu organization was also able to donate the proceeds to VT Seva Netra Vidyalaya . Sri Tyagaraja Utsavam was able to work more on the lines of the slogan – “Madhava Seva ga Sarva Prani Seva” (SERVE ALL BEINGS AS SERVICE TO GOD) The backdrop on the stage was the highlight of the program. 

The theme was Khetra darshanam of Saint Tyagaraja swamy. Following the suggestion of Kovur Sundaresa Mudaliyar, Sri Upanishad Brahmendra sent an invitation to Tyagaraja. In his letter, Sri Upanishad Brahmendra mentioned that though he was very desirous of listening to Tyagaraja’s divine music he was unable to visit Thiruvaiyaru as he was in no position to travel long distances because of his old age. And, he said, he would appreciate it if Tyagaraja could visit him at Kanchipuram and let him have the pleasure of listening to sublime music celebrating the glory of Sri Rama. He visited Sri Rangam ( Lord Ranganatha swamy ), Kanchipuram (Lord Varada raja swamy) , Kamakshi devi and then to Tirupathi where he composed Terateeyagarada (Gowlipanthu ragam) and Venkatesaninnu sevimpa (Madhyamavathi ragam). The program opened with the Krithi Terateeyagarada, sung by Late Shri M. Balamuralikrishna. 

About Decorations: OmTvastha decorations did a wonderful job with traditional and evergreen designs with fresh fragrant local flowers etc. 

Charity: Thanks to our dedicated Volunteer Janaki Mohan for lunch boxes, as a charity for Canton Shri Sai Chavadi . Thanks to Mirchi Nation, Marlboro and VT seva volunteers for selling snacks and beverages to raise funds for Netra Vidyalaya. Sraveo Audio Video did extraordinary service with technical expertise, and professionalism. They provided superior audiovisual outreach and the program was telecast live. Their team members were excellent at their jobs, always working hard with a plan in mind, but most importantly they are pleasant to be around. They even displayed participants' photos and year-round practices as a memory. Very good feedback from viewers about the quality of audio and video with no glitches. 

One aspect that needs to be mentioned here and appreciated is that the artistes, music lovers and audience participating in the utsavam were dressed in traditional attire, bringing dignity and pleasantness to the whole program. It was indeed a celebration of tradition, music and the Divine. The day was truly an Aradhana for the great Saint as the rasikas participated with ardent dedication in the rendition of both pancharatnams and Divyanamalu in a humble effort to recreate Thygaraja utsavam. 

Shri Subramanyam Kuruganti garu’s educative yet sprightly compering made the event much more interesting. The event was very well organized by Sri Badarinadh Vissapragada garu, Madhavi Donepudi garu and Srikanth Gomattam garu along with the help of several dedicated volunteers. A seamless coordination has been seen throughout the event, in every task, and event coordinators would surely be appreciated for such a wonderful job. The stage was busy from morning till about 7:00pm, when it finally ended with Mangalam, without any break. A great care has been taken to serve the audiences with lunch boxes, and afternoon tea. All the participants were awarded with a certification of appreciation. Such cultural events keep the people; especially the kids connected to the traditional and cultural values of India. 

Editor: Pratima Penumarthy