Art, Literature & Rhythm: ALF 3.0 Lights Up Chicago

Chicago’s literary crowd gathered for a full day of words, music, and movement as the Art Literature Fest (ALF) 3.0, presented by the American Literature Association (ALA), unfolded into a celebration of creativity.

After the 9:30 a.m. inauguration, the festival jumped straight into stimulating literature sessions.

S. Hareesh opened with a talk in Malayalam that explored the soul of storytelling.

Dr. Manu S. Pillai followed, weaving English and Malayalam to examine how memory shapes our understanding of history.

M. Swaraj closed the morning with an engaging look at the History of the Indian Constitution in Malayalam.

The midday lunch break wasn’t just about food—it was a lively mix of book signings, networking, and casual conversations, where visiting and local authors mingled with readers. A special book release by Chicago and other State based writers highlighted the city’s own literary heartbeat, while young winners of ALA’s writing competitions were celebrated for their fresh voices and bright ideas.  A short “Book on Stage” segment rounded out the literature track.

 Post-lunch, S. Hareesh and M. Swaraj sat down for an intimate fireside chat. Then Dr. Sreevalsan J. Menon and Dr. Rachitha Ravi captivated the audience with Music & Mudras, a seamless dialogue of melody and movement. 

The evening shifted into pure performance. Dr. Rachitha Ravi returned with a spellbinding dance on Karn Mrityunjaya (“The Death Conqueror”) by Shivaji Sawant book, followed by AMMA – Poetry in Motion, each piece marrying tradition with contemporary flair. Finally, Dr. Sreevalsan J. Menon and team delivered a soul-stirring live concert, sending everyone home humming.

The ALA program has a special space in my heart for their exclusive style of planning and curating the festival agenda. Everything was organized so smoothly, without disruption or confusion, that participants could simply immerse themselves in the experience. Kudos to the volunteers, who worked wholeheartedly behind the scenes—not seeking the spotlight but ensuring the event’s success. They function like a family, celebrating the collective achievement of the festival rather than individual recognition, and that spirit of humility is what makes ALA truly remarkable.

What made ALF 3.0 truly memorable was its spirit of connection. Acclaimed authors and performers proved warm and approachable, while festivalgoers formed new friendships across art, literature, and music—a vibrant bouquet of creative minds.

From insightful panels to transcendent performances, ALF 3.0 was not just a festival but an experience—a shining example of how stories, rhythm, and community can light up a Chicago weekend.

“Literature, music, and art are not just performances; they are bridges that connect hearts, histories, and hopes.”

~ Dawn

Finding Joy in Rhythm, Carrying Amma in Spirit

 

This year began on a difficult note with the loss of our Amma, my mother-in-law, in October. Each of us grieved in our own way, and her absence created a deep void. She had always been present in our lives—either visiting us in person or connecting with us over video calls—and that constant presence is what we miss the most.

In time, I slowly started focusing on healing. Playing the Chenda, making new friends who now feel like family, and being part of our group Bay Melam brought me strength. As my Arangettam approached, our daily in-person Chenda practice camp with our beloved Guru, Mela Kalaratnam Kalamandalam Shivdas Aashaan, began in full swing. His direct, honest feedback kept us sharp and attentive to the finer details—the posture of the hands, the strength of each beat, and most importantly, the joy of dancing with the rhythm as we play.

I never set out with the dream of performing an Arangettam; my only goal was to learn. But this journey gave me the confidence to step onto a stage and perform at events. With Bay Melam (our band name), I had the honor of performing in Manteca for the Onam celebration and later in Fremont at the Vellankanni festival. Through it all, my family’s support has been unwavering. It’s not just me who finds joy in playing the Chenda—my family feels happiness in watching me play with such passion.

I carry immense gratitude for the universe aligning everything to make this possible. If Amma were still with us, she would have proudly shared this with the entire world. I miss her deeply—words will never be enough to capture that feeling.

Today, as a family, we chose to celebrate Onam together—dressing up, sitting down for Sadya, and simply enjoying each other’s company. After such an eventful month, this quiet day of food, laughter, and togetherness feels truly blissful. Happy Onam to all !!!

~ Dawn