Photos: Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini - Inauguration of Web Portal - Dharmakshetra - July 7, 2012 - Camera 1 Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini - Inauguration of Web Portal - Dharmakshetra - July 7, 2012 - Camera 2 Ashadi Ekadashi at Dharmakshetra - 30.06.2012 - Morning Programme Ashadi Ekadashi at Dharmakshetra - 30.06.2012 - Evening Programme
Region 4 adds colour to Prasanthi Twilight… Saturday, July 7th, 2012 In a dazzling display of devotion, dedication and rich cultural heritage, Region 4 of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Worldwide comprising of countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore and Thailand presented a unique colourful evening today in Prasanthi Nilayam. The programme was organised on the sidelines of a three-day Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual Youth Retreat, concluded this afternoon. The main programme for the evening was ‘Kecak’, a traditional Balinese dance form from Indonesia that has been handed down from generations apart. Known as Bali’s version of the epic Ramayana, ‘Kecak’ dance form is synonymous with the island’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. This evening’s presentation was based on Bhagawan’s ‘own’ work, ‘Ramakatha Rasa Vahini’, and the episode depicted was the royal battle between Ravana’s son Indrajith and Lakshmana,brother of Bhagawan Sri Ram. Donned in checked waist clothes and maroon full-sleeve shirts, men in large numbers circled around a pole of many lighted lamps, chorusing cak…cak…cak… that was superbly synchronized with their raising-hand-action with fingers gone fluttering. Synchronising these sequential actions, these men turned from one end to another, with typical hand movement, with perfect coordination presenting yet another art form at the Ultimate Altar of the Supreme Avatar. With this men in action, there arrived the protagonists one after one, Ravana, Lakshman and Lord Ram followed by His eternal devotee Hanuman. With men chanting cak…cak in vigorous action, the protagonists enacted the scenes, depicting Indrajith’s vicious design to overthrow Lakshmana, how Lakshmana fell victim to his devilish plans, and how Lord Rama, with the ‘aid’ of His eternal devotee Hanuman, revived Lakshmana, etc. A dance followed, to the tune of a chorus song sung by women youth from the region, illustrating Hanuman’s supreme devotion to Lord Ram and how he was a recipient of Lord Rama’s eternal grace. Flag-march representing participating countries with a Hanuman Flag leading from the front followed, to the tunes of a soothing devotional melody before bhajans by students continued until Arathi at 1805 hrs. Earlier, the Youth in-charge for the region gave a brief introductory speech before the commencement of the programme. Talking about how to transform inspiration into action, the speaker commented about the Spiritual Retreat, service activities being sponsored and done by the Region etc. Clothes were presented to all participants and prasadam was distributed to the entire assembly. A group of devotees from Region 94, Middle East and Gulf, of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Worldwide is currently in Prasanthi Nilayam, on a Parthi Yatra. On the sidelines of the pilgrimage, a Balvikas Teacher’s Training Camp is also being organised by the in Prasanthi Nilayam. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/07/region-4-adds-colour-to-prasanthi-twilight/ Odisha Parthi Yatra 2012 Saturday, July 7th, 2012 Six months from their previous pilgrimage to Prasanthi, in December 2011, a large contingent of 1800 devotees from the State of Odisha made it again to Prasanthi Nilayam in a Parthi Yatra during the first week of July on the occasion of Guru Purnima 2012. Offering gratitude and love at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet, children and artistes from the State presented a host of cultural presentations, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the State, at the Sanctum Sanctorum on 5th July evening. Tribal Cultural Art, Jodi Shanka Dance, was the first item for the evening. Jodi Sankha, literally meaning Double Conch, is a unique folk dance of Ganjam District in Odisha. It is a unique presentation of rural music, dance and martial arts coming in unison. In this form of art, while blowing the conch, artists display greater harmony between the modulation of the conch and the physical movements. Back in the State, the art is martial, spirit is rustic and the costumes colourful. Main accompanying instruments are “Changu-Baja” and “Mahuri”, while combined together with the thrills of the conch present an emotional orchestra of rural music, a veritable audio-visual treat. In a grand exhibition of artistic and martial talents, tribal youth from the State delighted the audience enacting various scenes from Bharat’s glorious cultural history. Scenes depicting Bhagawan Sri Krishna as the Eternal Charioteer, Lord Hanuman flying over, the Advent of Kalki Avatar on the horse etc., were enacted along with various other scenes, to the rhythmic backdrop music emanated from the drums and cymbals. Odisha Parthi Yatra 2012 - Photos/Slideshow in Flash - Part 1 1http://www.sssbpt.org/images/odishaparthiyatra_2012_1.swf The State that earned the rich inheritance of devotional chanting from none other than illustrious Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, epitome of devotion, fashions the same even today with tribal and other devotees in the state follow this mode of ecstatic devotional chanting. Presenting this rich tradition devotees from the State presented Namasankirthana, Congregational Chanting of the Divine Name, to the accompaniments of various instruments such as Dholak, Mrudangam, Ghanta and Kahali, in typical Chaitanya style. Sri Krishna Leela Madhuri, a dance ballet by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Bhadrak was the next item followed. The presentation was based on the writings of renowned devotional poet Banmali Das, who lived during the 12th century. As various childhood pastimes from the epochal life Little Krishna came to the fore to the accompaniment of soothing Oriya Melody, audience in the hall sat spellbound watching the spectacle as if got caught in a reverie. It was a delectable display of sheer talent of little ones from the school, who enacted illustrious scenes from the epical life, dancing to the tunes, to perfection. This art form was originated in Bengal, penetrated into Digapahandi and Athagada in Ganjam district after the visit of Chaitayana Mahaprabhu to the State during the 16th century. The final item for the evening was a Musical Bouquet entitled, ‘Sai Symphony’ presented by the Youth from the State, both men and women. When their voices blend together to perfection, with hearts beating for the Indwelling Lord in their heart, it turned out to be a perfect finale, singing glories of the Lord. Satya Ki Raha Dikhane Aaye…, Namo Devyaii Maha Devyaii, Dhanya Bhag Seva Ka Abasara Paya…, Sai Rama Sai Krishna were the songs that echoed in the evening in the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall and Prasanthi Nilayam. Upon the presentation, groups of children and youth lined up for photograph session. Bhajans by the State troupe continued and ended with the Thursday Special, “Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara…” in Bhagawan’s mellifluous voice. Prasadam was distributed and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1850 hrs. Earlier, before the commencement of the programme, Sri P. Jagannath Prasad Rao, State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Odisha, delivered a brief introductory speech. Touching upon Bhagawan’s special love for the State, often expressed and exhibited in public, the State President echoed feelings of gratitude for Bhagawan’s “Love In Action”, that revived and rehabilitated thousands of homeless people from the State, victims of the horrendous floods that wreaked havoc in September 2008. The State President echoed that Puri and Parthi are the same and so are Lord Jagannath and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. Odisha takes to the street in a huge procession… Hundreds of men and women from the State of Odisha took to the main street of Parthi on the morning of 5th july in a huge procession displaying great devotional fervour. This is the second time, in six months, the State is taking out a huge procession in Puttaparthi, last one being on 27th December 2011. Beginning at 0830 hrs. from the birthplace of Bhagawan, Lord Shiva Temple, the procession moved along the main road. Led by a group yellow clad men blowing ‘twin conch’, performing ‘Jodi Sankha Dance’, followed by a group of enthusiastic drummers beating rhythmic tunes, the procession, infectious of devotional exuberance, moved through the main road in a measured pace granting an audio-visual treat to hundreds of onlookers. The men in the front were followed by a group of men in drums, who often turned excited, jumping and dancing to their drum beats, followed by another set of men playing cymbals, joining in circular dance movements. Odisha Parthi Yatra 2012 - Photos/Slideshow in Flash - Part 2 http://www.sssbpt.org/images/odishaparthiyatra_2012_2.swf In the centre was a small chariot carrying Lord Jagannath, Sister Subhadra and Brother Balabadra. A small group of tribal dancing women followed the men, that was followed by hundreds of women carrying auspicious ‘kalasas.’ Another huge coloumn of women, all clad in uniform sarees, joined moving in tandem, often bursting into eerie whistling, typical of East India tribal tradition. Namasankirthan group of men, in yellow scarves, followed, singing bhahjans and towards the end came a huge chariot with a smiling Bhagawan in the backdrop and the Seat Of The Divine at the centre. In all the whole affair was full of spectacle, drama and colour, in line with the original festive splendour in Puri, which is slated as a typical Indian fair of unmatchable proportions. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/07/odisha-parthi-yatra-2012/ Latest Videos Updated on 07.07.2012 ODISHA Parthi Yatra - JULY 2012 link: http://vimeo.com/45323509 __._,_.___
