STORY BEHIND THIS PHOTO - 36 (SATHYA SAI BABA SWINGING ON JHOOLA)
STORY BEHIND THIS PHOTO: 37 SATHYA SAI BABA SWINGING IN JHOOLA (Bhaghavan’s Birthday celebrations) Every year, the Birthday celebrations of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai is a great spiritual event in Prashanthi Nilayam. There will be various programmes planned out for 4 or five days, and draw huge crowds of devotees in the Divine presence. Invariably, these celebrations conclude with the :Jhoola Programme” on the last day. The locations may change. It could be in Poornachandra Auditorium, or Hill view Stadium. But the jhoola programme is the last programme. .Ddevotees believe, that Swami is swinging the Jhoola and is also showering His grace on those who had gathered there. After hectic celebrations, Swami is a in a relaxed and pleasant mood. He listens and enjoys good music, and at the same time, gives joy to the multitude of devotees who flocks to His abode. Groups and groups of devotees would arrive by availing various available transportations. Many devotees from long distance places arrive by special buses, to attend the Birthday festivals. They all wait till Bhagavan Baba takes his seat in the Jhoola, and starts swinging. As soon as the devotees sight swami in the Jhoola, the devotees believe that the pilgrimage is fulfilled, and start leaving Prashanthi Nilayam, only to come back very soon. I wish to share some import information on Jhoola programme. When Bhagavan takes His seat on the jhoola, it is the turn of devotees to gently push the jhoola, for achieving the swing. After senior devotees turn is over, the seva dals are given this special privilege. They stand in queue behind the stage, and one by one, they move forward, and give a hand to gently push the jhoola. From the days of Sri. Raja Reddy and other old time singers, the main song for this programme is Jhoola songs, composed in beautiful Telugu Language. The song “Pavalimbu Sayee Deva……” was very famous. Later on came Srimathi M.S. Subbalakshmi and other great singers, who started rendering wonderful classical songs and other devotional songs.. Gradually the “Pavalimbu Sa yee deva…. song, had become a rare product. The song starts with the first line as , “Laali, Laali, layya Laali, Lavanya Guna seela……” A very old sai devotee from Chennai, Sri, “Sai Premi” made it a point to conclude all his bhjan programmes with the rendering of the old Jhoola song. For the past 50 years. He had never missed singing this Laali songs at the end of every Bhajan. I wished to record this wonderful composition, so that this song will be etched in the memory of all new sai devotees, who had not heard this song. This effort took shape, by shooting a video programme on this subject, in the residence of Sri. Sai Premi” who is very soon going to celebrate his own “Sahasra Chandra Darshana Vaibhavam”.. Yes, he is now past 80 plus year old. I dedicate this Wonderful video to commemorate His Sathabhishekam functions.
