Kabir Das’s composition ‘Moko Kahan Doondey Re Bande…Main to tere paas mein’… meaning, “Where do you search Me? I’m right here with you” echoed in Prasanthi Nilayam serving the right message for the assemblage of devotees reassuring Beloved Bhagawan’s unceasing presence amidst us, this evenining here in Prasanthi Nilayam. On the third day of the ongoing Birthday Celebrations, this evening there was a Hindustani Vocal Concert by well-known vocalist and exponent of Indian Classical Music, Padma Shri Ms. Sumitra Guha. A rare breed and champion proponent of Indian Classical Music around the world, Ms. Guha had an ealier stint in Prasanthi Nilayam, singing in Bhagawan’s physical presence in 2005. Her concerts are counted as ‘experiences’ that bear the stamp of exclusive musical devotion. This evening, Ms. Guha began her concert with her own composition on Lord Krishna “Kaise jaaun tumhare paas O Giridhari” in Raag Hamsadhwani, in Teen Taal, a prelude to a scnitillating hour of Hindustani devotional. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh the seasoned artiste chose to sing a Telugu Poem, a composition of Bhakta Kavi Pothana, “Mandara Makaranda Maadhuryamunadelu” that was followed by a Meera Bhajan, a favourite piece of Bhagawan, “ Kahan Kahan Jao Therey Saath…”. The Kabir Vani ‘Moko Kahan Doondey Re Bande…Main to tere paas mein’ followed, sung with elan and great devotional feeling. As her honeyed voice rendered the air, singing the most meaningful lines, audience sat in silence, many immersed in their own mislaid world of nostalgic days with Beloved Mother Sai. The next piece was one of Annamacharya, ‘Narayana Jaya Namo Namaha’, before the concluding song, a bhajan styled in Hindustani, “Govinda Bolo Gopala Bolo…”. Ms. Guha, siging with her soothing, piercing voice with facile tonal variations excelled with her devotional approach over professional mode, transmuting the general mood of the evening into devotional ecstasy. For the audience, it was a totally different experience, with the versatile singer exhibiting precision and clarity, singing with devotional fervour. Ms. Guha was accomapnied by Sri Nishikant Barodekar on Tabla, Harish on Keyboard and Sridhar on Violin. At the end of the concert, artistes were feliciated by Senior Trust officials. Bhajans by Prasanthi and Anantapur Campuses followed for the next fifteen minutes and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1815 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage of devotees. 19th November is Annual Ladies’ Day. An announcement to this effect was made; the programme would commence at 0830 hrs. in the morning. November 18 is a marked day in Puttaparthi, for religious fanfare and piety coupled with devotional pomp among village folks, as this is the day when Lord Rama and Mother Sita would go in a procession along with Venugopala Swami from the Mandir in Prasanthi Nilayam to the Peddavenkama Raju Kalyana Mandapam, near Hanuman Temple. This symbolic procession has been in practice eversince its inception dates back 1980s. Over the years Bhagawan would personally bless the occasion in the bhajan hall as the deities were taken out in procession. Highlight of this morning function was the Celestial Marriage of Divine Couple, Lord Sri Ramachandra and Mother Sita performed with religious rites, in Sai Kulwant Hall. The function began at 0820 hrs. after 20 mts. of Veda chanting. After invocatory chanting, the officiating priest explained the greater significance of the function, especially that of conducting the marriage in the Divine Presence of Beloved Bhagawan. The chanting went on and various offerings pertaining to the rituals followed. Upanayanam, sacred thread ceremony of the bridegroom followed by Kanyadanam (giving away the bride) was performed amidst chanting before the final ceremony, The Divine Marriage, was conducted by tying of Mangala Sutra around the neck of the bride. The entire function was linked to the Sathya Sai Saga as the priest went on repeating the connection and greater significance at frequent intervals. It is for the first time after its inception the Divine Marriage is conducted in Sai Kulwant Hall, witnessed by an assembly of devotees. Over the years the function used to be inside the bhajan hall, in the immediate Divine Presence of Bhagawan. Mangala Arathi to the Divine couple was offered before the the deities were taken out in procession along with that of Lord Venugopala Swami. Subsequently, the deities were mounted on the main chariot at the gopuram gate amidst devotional exuberance. Upon mounting the deities, coconuts were broken and arathi was offered before they were taken out along the road in procession. Ecstatic mood of the village folk dancing to the tune of drumbeats, breaking coconuts and offering arathi enroute, was evidential of the religious fervour attached to the festivity. Vedam and Bhajans group from Prasanthi led the procession. The Venugopala Swami idol was mounted at the Pedda Venkama Raju Kalyanamandapam before return journey commenced, carrying the Sita Rama idols, a custom that has been in place ever since the Chariot Festival was introduced in Parthi. Venugopala Swami would go on a round of the entire village before returning to Prasanthi Mandir in the night. Earlier, outside the Prasanthi gates, enthusiastic Parthi folks were up quite early, sprucing up and decorating the entire road between Prasanthi Mandir and Pedda Venkamaraju Kalyana Mandapam. Women devotees were seen engaged in painting the road with ‘Rangoli’. « A musical drama by Muddenahalli students - 17th Nov..… - Music Concert by Sumitra Guha 18th Nov… » |