Sai Jyothi Musical Presentation… Friday, October 12th, 2012 Devotees from the United Kingdom presented a twin delight, offering soulful musical presentation at the Divine Lotus Feet of Bhagawan on 11th and 12th October in Prasanthi Nilayam. The group, Sai Jyothi Pilgrims, had 46 devotees on a Prasanthi Pilgrimage, led by Sri Kiran Patel, a senior alumnus at Bhagawan’s University. The pilgrimage was organized as a part of the national initiative by the UK Sathya Sai Organisation, inspiring devotees to focus on Bhagawan’s ideals and teachings. Sai Jyothi pilgrims have endeavoured with sincere Sadhana for over five months before embarking on the journey to Prasanthi Nilayam. On 11th October evening, the group presented a scintillating classical musical presentation entitled ‘Sai Anandam’ comprising of Bhajans and Instrumental Music. The programme commenced with Guru Vandana singing Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu… followed by a salutation piece in Raag Yaman Kalyan singing the bhajan “Anthar Jyothi Jalaao Sai…”. Next to come was “Hum Sab Milkar Mangal Gaaye”, a song signifying the joy of devotees as they soak in the showers of supreme grace, rendered in Raag Megh. “Om Hari Om Hari Om Bhajorey Bhajo…” in Ragh Bahar denoting the fresh beginning followed before reaching a crescendo with stimulating instrumental medley, epitomising the ascension of man to higher realms of spirituality. Sai Anandam had some of the seasoned professionals from the European Circuit, Roopa Panesar on Sitar, Kirpal Singh Panesar on Tar Shehnai, Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla on Santoor and Vocal and Gurdain Singh Rayatt on Tabla. Roopa Panesar who had already performed in the Divine presence, twice earlier, in 2003 along with Late Jagjith Singh and later in 2009 with a solo performance is a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan and Gurdain Singh Rayatt of Pandit Shankar Ghosh of Frukhabad Gharana; Kirpal Singh Panesar of Ustad Gurudev Singhji, while Kaviraj had the tutelage from Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty for the vocal and Sri Harjinderpal Singh for Santoor. Photos/Slideshow - Sai Jyothi Musical Presentation..... http://www.sssbpt.org/images/SAIJYOTHI_UK_2012.swf As the saying goes of the legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan, “Our job is just to play, to make it effective is in God’s hand,” the foursome peaked at the second half of the presentation with melodious soul-stirring medley involving four instruments inciting relentless rapturous applause at the end of the one-hour programme. Earlier, the presentation began with a brief introduction by Mahesh Narayan who performed the pleasant task of reading out the credentials of talented artistes for the evening, offering gratitude to Bhagawan for the unique opportunity of being in His immediate Divine omnipresence. Continuing from the previous evening “Sai Jyothi” presented another scintillating musical offering, a medley of devotional songs, on 12th October evening in Prasanthi Nilayam. Beginning with an instrumental, playing to the tune of “Vande Uma Nandanam” invoking Lord Ganesha, the presentation progressed into a Hindi solo, a Sukhmani from Guru Grandh Saheb, Anand Sukh Paaya… by Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla followed by a medley of devotionals in English. Some of the numbers were “Why fear when I Am here…So Says Baba Sathya Sai Baba…”, “I am the light and the light is within me…”, “Every Moment Of My Life Be With Me…Baba O Sai Baba…” winding up with “Sathyam Jnaanam Anantham Brahma”. The hour-long soul-stirring musical treat was well received with every song ending with rapturous applause from the assembly. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu IIsourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/10/sai-jyothi-musical-presentation/ Videos & Other Updates: Divine He...Arts 5 SAI ANANDAM - A musical bouquet Sai Jyothi - A musical offerings By the Devotees from United Kingdom Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva 2012… Saturday, October 13th, 2012 The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is about to begin Grama Seva 2012, which is scheduled to span nine days from October 16 , 2012 to October 24, 2011. 153 villages of the three mandals of Anantapur to be served are Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu, and Bukkapatnam. More than 2000 students from the four campuses of the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning-namely Prasanti Nilayam, Brindavan, Anantapur and Muddenahalli along with students of our Higher Secondary School will participate in this 10 day event.Totally 50000 households will be given food and clothing during this period. Grama Seva is an annual event, which began under the direct guidance of Bhagawan in the year 2000. The main purpose of this project is three-fold: 1) to give assurance to the rural population that there is someone there to ‘care’ within their community, 2) to sensitize the students to the needs of the community, and 3) to give the students exposure to project management and team-building. Several positive changes have been observed since the inception of the Grama Seva Project in 2000. Firstly, more students have remained in India, and have opted to work in service-oriented and non-profit organizations. Secondly, the environment of the villages has seemed to improve possibly because villagers have become more caring for their own village. For example, there have been marked improvements in the ground-water table, agricultural activity, and in overall hygiene. Thirdly, the number of uncared-for elderly villagers has also appeared to reduce significantly, perhaps because the younger generations of villagers are becoming more aware of their responsibilities. These are only a few of the many positive changes that have been observed since the inception of Grama Seva. It is no wonder why countless villagers have expressed their gratitude for the care they receive through this project. The Grama Seva Project is therefore a symbol of the unique aim of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, which is development of character. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/10/sri-sathya-sai-grama-seva-2012/
