On April 19, 2025, Sishyakulam, a Chennai-based Indian classical arts education institution, made history at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival with the EPIC Choir 2025. The event, featuring over 250 performers aged 5 to 60, was officially recognized as the largest Indian music choral ensemble ever assembled.
The EPIC Choir 2025, conducted by Sishyakulam, brought together vocalists and instrumentalists from 20+ U.S. states, accompanied by 40 Gurus from across three continents. The performance, attended by over 2,000 people, showcased the power of Indian classical music on a global stage.
“Sishyakulam’s EPIC Choir 2025 exemplifies our philosophy of reimagining the Gurukulam system with the student at its heart,” said Shankar Santhanagopalan, CEO of Sishyakulam. “Through rigorous planning, boundless inclusivity, and measurable impact, we have demonstrated how Chennai’s rich Carnatic tradition can resonate across continents and showcase Indian arts on the global stage.”
The event was a testament to Sishyakulam’s commitment to inclusivity and youth empowerment. Over 75% of the participants were under the age of 14, highlighting the organization’s dedication to nurturing future generations of artists and enthusiasts.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool, and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.