This year is quite a shocking year, especially for CTU as it is losing some of the ultra-core family members who were greatly instrumental to the progress of Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam. The family of Sri Chandanasseri Ramachandran [or, Ramachandran Mama – as we knew him] created the biggest musical jump for CTU when he moved to the Chicago area with his wife Rajalakshmi Mami, son Prasod, and daughters Jayanthi and Jyothi.

In a small two bedroom apartment, Ramachandran Mama would encourage Mami to organize Carnatic music class, and encourage Prasod to teach Carnatic violin to beginners. What I personally noticed among the Palghat Brahmins community was their dedication to the work they took to sustain a large family. No one would ride on the other family member’s sweat. Ramachandran Mama would work at the reception desk at HTGC which was just making its presence among the Chicago Hindu community. The entire family valued Carnatic music and was central to its propagation in the Chicago area. Mama set an example to the immigrant community, with four important values.

Value 1: There is great merit in a joint family system.
Value 2: Inspire children to be truly responsible for one’s parents in their last days.
Value 3: Shocks and tragedies are to be accepted with grace in one’s life.
Value 4: Mutual respect and noninterference between the decisions of elders and preferences for the youth have to be gracefully carried out.

Having lived a long life, Ramachandran Mama who passed away yesterday (Thu, July 25, 2024, 6:41 am), at the age of 97, leaves our community with the main message to nurture our culture and tradition, not by lecturing on these values, but by personally living, setting an example and being a role model. He was the true leader of such a family.

TES Raghavan