Scintillating Mridangam Recital… Monday, August 27th, 2012 Onam 2012 got off to an auspicious start with Mridangam maestro of Guiness Book fame Sri Kuzhalmandam Ramakrishnan presenting a scintillating Mridangam Recital, entitled Vadya Sangeetam this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. Playing for a full 45 minutes, not-stop, when the artiste’s gifted fingers fell in harmony on the blessed percussion instrument, what emanated was sheer brilliance tantalising the audience in the august evening assembly. Known for his marathon stints, when Sri Ramakrishnan continued exhibiting keen passion, standing on stage, students as well joined the artiste weaving rhythmic beats that reverberated the entire hall.
The artiste was accompanied by Guruvayoor Rajamoni and Adarsh Ajay Kumar on Violin, Aiyappan Nenmara on Saxophone, Thrikkakkara YN Santharam on Ganjira, Babu Idappal on Keyboard and Umesh on Rhytham Pad. At the end of the presentation, the artistes and accompanists were felicitated by senior officials. Bhajans continued and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1810 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire gathering. Tomorrow, on the second day of the ongoing Onam festivity, there will be a special programme, Hrudaya Sangamam, an offering of gratitude by Cardiac Operated patients at Bhagawan’s hospitals, in the evening at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam. This will be followed by a musical offering by Sri Yogeswar Sharma. II Samasta Lokaha Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/08/scintillating-mridangam-recital/ His First Speech on Baba Monday, August 27th, 2012 After coming to Baba in the Fifties, Prof Kasturi was for many decades the most entertaining and edifying exponent of Bhagawan’s life and message. But the first speech he had to give on Baba in 1951 was quite an ordeal. The following account of the incident, related in Prof Kasturi’s own inimitable humorous style, is reproduced from his autobiography, “Loving God”. 1951, December I received in the day’s mail a letter from Baba, in the Kannada language, but in Anglo Saxon script. I could neither read nor write the Telugu script and my understanding of the language was halting and inchoate. So, Baba had to devise this devious dualistic method of correspondence to communicate His orders. The letter made me both proud and penitent. It was a command clothed as a request. I was to unveil Bhagawan’s portrait at the School Day Function of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba District Board High School, Bukkapatnam! As a measure of abundant caution, Baba had written that my being given this golden chance was a precious piece of good fortune. I felt ashamed that I could not speak Telugu, for the vast majority of people who gathered at Bukkapatnam that day could not be acquainted with English, and Kannada was for them Oriya or Esperanto. So, after accepting the assignment most humbly, I went over to Bangalore, confabulated with a Telugu teacher at the Fort High School and wrote down in Malayalam script the Telugu version of my Kannada speech, while he dictated it to me word by word. I reached Puttaparthi and placed the half boiled stuff before Baba. He laughed at my tremulousness and dismissed the manuscript. He said the speech should not be artificial; `it must be heartifcial’, He advised. So, I went back to Davangere, very much relieved. And also richer by one new English word! The Bukkapatnam High School was Baba’s gift to the town which owes its existence and prosperity to the irrigation engineers of the XIV century A.D. (employed by Emperor Bukka of the Vijayanagar Empire) who selected the lie of the dykes near this place for an anicut across the Chitravati River. Baba was attending the “Middle School” at this place when He grew old enough to leave the “Primary School” at Puttaparthi. He had no need to be taught; He used His teacher, for teaching His mates and companions that wise men and elders should be revered. He used His mates and companions to teach the villagers that children should be treasured as potential guides and pillars of society. The “Middle School” which He frequented at Bukkapatnam was raised to the status of a High School, with the help of a sizeable donation from the Raja of Venkatagiri, who was drawn to Puttaparthi by a concatenation of mysterious happenings willed by Baba. Baba had to proceed Himself to Madras to contact the Chief Minister, and secure sanction for the High School. For, the `big man’ in charge of the Presidency had doubts whether the tiny speck on the map deserved that prestigious institution. There was another snag too, which had to be resolved whether the High School should be at the Eastern end of the anicut or the Western? The Bukkapatnam High School was Baba’s first venture in promoting and patronising educational institutions for the young. It had the honour of being known by His Name. He was the President of the School Committee. He visited the School often and imparted constructive counsel to the Headmaster and other teachers. As part of the Birthday Celebrations Baba arranged every year a feast for the students of the School at Prasanthi Nilayam. He knew every boy by name as well as through his domestic background. His sympathy was profound and was expressed magnanimously in practice. He presented to the School a set of musical instruments so that a Band troupe could be formed for March Pasts, Rallies, Route Marches etc. They learnt to play Bhajan songs, whenever they assembled at the Nilayam. Mass Drill, with hoops, lazeem, and torches, were also presented by them at the Nilayam during festivals. He gave as Birthday Blessings uniform dresses for Harijan children. He equipped the School with furniture, a library, a sound system and a radio receiver with speakers. In fact, He nourished His School from birth and childhood and continued to be its Patron and President until it became one of the best High Schools in the District academically and otherwise. A prophecy The School Day was to be presided over by the Hon’ble Sri Koti Reddy, Revenue Minister of Andhra. Baba had conferred on me the Ph.D. Honoris Causa, in the card He got printed to be sent to all invited for the function, and elevated the office of “Superintendent” to Principal. Tears welled up when I saw my name as “N. Kasturi, M.A., B.L., Ph.D., Principal, DRM College, Davangere”, in the announcements. I had to my credit a number of in¬complete theses on which I had set my heart to win a Ph.D., from the Madras or Mysore Universities. I could not progress further than a few chapters on “Factory Laws in India”; I very nearly completed a study on “The Last Rajas of Coorg”; I copied from the Secretariat of the State of Cochin a few dozen files on “The Dutch Merchants at Cochin”. So I had to confess to Swami when I fell at his feet at Bukkapatnam that I was not entitled to the Ph.D. Baba smiled and patted me on the back. “You are a Ph.D.”. Sri Vittal Rao, formerly of the Mysore Forest Department, and an old friend of mine, intercepted with the query, “Of which University?” Swami turned to him and said “Puttaparthi University.” (30 years later, on Vijayadashami Day, at the Poornachandra Auditorium, before a gathering of 50,000 devotees, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India as Chairman and the Governor of Maharashtra as Chief Guest, the University of Puttaparthi—Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning—was inaugurated by Bhagawan as Chancellor. Dr. Vinayak Krishna Gokak, M.A., D.Litt., was installed as Vice Chancellor…) No word of Baba can be casual or barren or fallow. I arrived at Bukkapatnam an hour before the function started and was graciously ushered into the distinguished company. When my turn came, I rose from my chair and, fortunately without fumbling, drew down the length of ribbon on which the silvery silk veil was hung, exposing the magnificent portrait of the Lord. Then, I placed a flower garland around it. I addressed the gathering in English, as I had been permitted to do by Baba. I said that schools honour themselves by placing before the successive generations of pupils portraits of one or other of three inspiring personalities, Distinguished ‘Old students’, Generous Donors, and Illust¬rious World Personages. I mentioned that Baba was a pupil on the register of the School when it was a middle school. This made Him an “Old Student”, “an Old Student” whom any school would most proudly own. He was also personally responsible for its elevation, establishment, and for ensuring its progress. He earned for it a historic victory. Baba was a Divine Phenomenon whose portrait would confer fame and power on any institution professing to promote knowledge, and to prescribe the norms of morality and spirituality in our country. The fact that He was the President of the School Committee was, I pointed out, of unique value because Baba loved children most and was ever intent on encouraging them to grow into able, efficient and honest citizens of the world. That was my first speech on Baba. And I was wholly elated when He smiled at me as I nervously sat on the edge of my chair after ten minutes of tension. He had warned me against using notes and against exceeding the time allotted. He allowed the Minister to hold forth a few minutes more. His wife, a renowned social worker and orator in her own right, also spoke, until the gathering became restless. I reached Puttaparthi late that night, after a dinner in Baba’s Presence at the High School itself. The next morning, Baba called me into the room (popularly known as Korike Room from `Korike’ a Telugu word meaning `Wish’—the wish-fulfilling room, in fact.). But, that day, it turned out to be, for me, a “wish frustrating room.” Baba’s leela Let me explain. On one occasion when I stayed at Puttaparthi, some princes of Venkatagiri Royal Family bad told me of a peculiar prank that Baba Indulged in. When the mood was on, He would extend His hand towards a devotee who had a gem-set ring on his finger and carp at him, “Oh! Shame! Why have you to carry stone without getting paid for it? How long have you been doing this despicable job? Give me that ring!” When the person so rebuked (note, the censure was technically correct) loosened the ring and placed it on His palm, Baba would blow His breath on it and it would be transformed into a new ring in which is embedded a portrait on enamel of His own charming Form. They showed me the ring that had undergone the miraculous impact of Divine Breath. Baba and the ring I developed a wish to witness this unique miracle and to wear a ring so metamorphosed. So, I got a gold ring made with an oversize garnet affixed. I was sure His compassion would be aroused at the sight of my carrying a stone heavier than those which the others bore around. I was also hopeful that He would not miss noticing it, and He would give a bigger sized beautiful portrait. The Stone’s appeal was inescapable. But, Baba encouraged me to suffer. He did not ask for the ring for full two years. That morning, I entered the Korike Room as usual with the right arm on my chest so that the garnet was right where its pomegranate brightness would be most patent. Baba held out His Hand for the ring! Ah! I placed it on that silken palm. My fingers shook in excitement. Baba continued to speak. “Oh! You desire to have a big picture so that you can preen yourself as a big devotee. So, every one would envy you, it would make you famous. No. People parade my portrait on fingers, on watches, on lockets round their necks, on the walls of their homes, on the altars in their shrines. No. Have me in your heart. That is my Home.” Then. He blew His breath on the ring He held between His fingers. It was not there any more, my gold and garnet had dissolved into nothingness. I swallowed a sigh and, immediately thereafter, an incipient sob. Baba spoke some good words about my speech before the School Day gathering. He inquired about my mother and my children. Then, He placed in my hands the Vibhuti packets, and opened the door for me to step out of the `Wish-fulfilment’ room. I scarce had taken two steps forward when Baba called me in. “Poor fellow,” He sympathised. “You want your ring back?” Then, most compassionately, with a sweet `No’ and a charming smile suddenly brightening His face, He waved His right palm in a circle and produced what struck me as a small lump of light. It was a gold ring set with nine precious gems, extolled in legends as capable of winning for the wearer the boons the nine planets can grant; pearl, ruby, topaz, diamond, emerald, lapis lazuli, coral, sapphire and zircon, 3 each in three sections. He put it on my finger. It was a perfect fit. He said, “Now, you will not be announcing Me, exhibiting Me that I am yours, even before I acknowledge that you are Mine. This ring is worn by many who believe that the Navagrahas (nine planets) have to be propitiated. By and by, you will discover that My Anugraha (Grace) can overcome the sinister designs of the nine planets. Until then, have this”. I came out of the room, the second time, with a grin of joy, extending from ear to ear. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/08/his-first-speech-on-baba/ Unto Sai a witness Monday, August 27th, 2012 Prof N. Kasturi was undoubtedly the most familiar name in Sai fraternity who lived an astounding forty years in close proximity to the Avatar of the Age, serving Him in His mission in various capacities. The Professor whose genius had many pens in his pocket was His ‘charge d’affaires’ and when the right time for Prasanthi’s premier publishing enterprise arrived it was Prof Kasturi who was ordained to take mission ahead, the mission of Sanathana Sarathi. Remembering the legend, on this occasion of quarter century of His ascent, who was the first Editor of Sanathana Sarathi and the first Convener of Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, we reproduce what his successor Sri VK Narasimhan had written for Sanathana Sarathi announcing the ascent of the doyen, merging at His Lotus Feet! “Death is the denouement of the drama of life,” wrote Prof Kasturi in 1981. That denouement came to him on August 14 at noon, a few minutes after Bhagawan Baba saw him in the Sathya Sai Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam. He was 90. Bhagawan, Who was overseeing a students’ rehearsal in the College Auditorium, abruptly stopped it at 11‑30 a.m. and went straight to the Hospital. Reaching the bedside of Prof Kasturi, Swami called him: “Kasturi!” Prof Kasturi opened his eyes for a moment and looked at the Lord. Bhagawan materialised Vibhuti and placed it in Kasturi’s mouth. Kasturi closed his eyes and a serene peace enveloped him. Swami told those at the bedside to do Namasmarana. An hour later his spirit merged in the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Streams of devotees paid their last respects to him at the hospital. The next morning his mortal remains were cremated on the bed of the Chitravati river. For over forty years he rendered devoted service to Bhagawan as writer, editor, companion and tireless propagator of Swami’s life and message. Millions of devotees all over the world got acquainted with Bhagawan’s life and teachings through the four volumes of “Sathyam Sivam Sundaram” (on the life of Bhagawan) and the 11 volumes of “Sathya Sai Speaks”, besides the Vahini Series. Prof Kasturi was a witness to the innumerable miracles of Swami and he could bear authentic testimony to the glory and magnificence of the Avatar as few others could. He had travelled with Bhagawan all over India. Vivid accounts of his intimate experiences with Swami are given in his autobiography, “Loving God”, which was released by Swami on Christmas day in 1982. Kasturi continued to work right upto his last illness, giving of his best to “Sanathana Sarathi”, which Swami launched in 1957 with Kasturi as the Editor. After 1982 Kasturi brought out two books, one on the Lord’s mother “Easwaramma”, and the other on the essence of Swami’s message in a book entitled “Prasanthi”. It could be truly said of Kasturi “Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust offers its eternal gratitude to this ‘Legendary Servant of the Source Of All Avatars!” II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/08/unto-sai-a-witness/ Videos Update: A special announcement regarding RADIOSAI - Prof. G Venkataraman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6OnQjsCaXQ&feature=player_embedded http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_10/01AUG12/GV_announcement.htm 1990 Nov 22. Discourse at 9th Convocation. http://vimeo.com/48302186 Aum Sri Sai Ram
