Colourful Ladies Day Morning… Monday, November 19th, 2012 Women devotees from around the world assembled in Sai Kulwant Hall in the immediate Divine Presence celebrating Ladies Day 2012 this morning here in Prasanthi Nilayam. In the morning, the proceedings began at 0800 hrs. with Veda chanting by the students from Anantapur campus. Lighting of the lamp followed before the brass band from Anantapur took over playing sonorous tunes to Bhagawan. Invocatory Vedam followed after which, scores of senior women made a beeline offering obeisance at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Introducing the session, Ms Chetana Raju invited the guest speakers for the session, Ms. Maria Meyer from Denmark followed by Ms Kayo Ko Hira of Japan. Speaking first, with a reference to the speciality and conduct of the special occasion, the speaker highlighted the importance of realising the true nature by practising Bhagawan’s teachings, sharing the same with others and transforming them. How Bhagawan, Who is Love personified, taught devotees lessons by interacting with them and to her credit, how, when she once prayed seeking His Love, Swami indicated her to expand it to Universal Love was lucidly explained by Ms Meyer entwining her speech with some interesting personal experiences.
Bhagawan’s teachings might appear to be difficult to practise, still we need to try with perseverance until we are victorious, said the speaker quoting references from His personal guidance. We need to respond to His call from within exhorted the speaker, ending her inspirational speech declaring: “Let’s respond to the call from within, let’s inspire the world to follow His teachings.” Ms Kayo Ko Hira, the second speaker, spoke of Bhagawan’s Supreme Love, referring to the national disaster, earth quake and tsunami, that devastated the country in March 2011, affecting millions of lives. Mentioning of the world-wide response came in the form of condolence and aids, Ms Hira affirmed, quality is important and not quantity, sharing some interesting anecdotes narrating His all conquering Love. How Bhagawan came to their rescue personally promising with the words, “I shall protect them from radiation, Go”, further instructing the national Sai organisation to go ahead with rescue operation was narrated by the speaker spicing up her talk with stories of Bhagawan’s unseen hand during the turbulent time. Next to come was a beautiful dance presentation by the students from Sri Sathya Sai School, Thailand. A small group of innocent beautiful children symbolically holding a couple of white roses in both hands, rhythmically swayed and danced, as if telling they are the flower in His Divine garden. Final programme for the morning was devotional singing in Spanish by devotees from Dominican Republic. A group of women, ably assisted by a small group of men, took the centre-stage with an ensemble of musical instruments producing some vibrant music, singing in varied tunes, as an expression of their hearts full of love, for the next fifteen minutes. Even as bhajans by the Anantapur Campus continued, commemorating the occasion, implements were distributed to the needy, sponsored by Smt. Easwaramma Women Welfare Trust. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage of devotees and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1010 hrs. Earlier, in the morning, Prasanthi woke up listening to Sathya Sai Suprabhatam, aired on the public speaker system, a speciality every year on Ladies Day. sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/11/colourful-ladies-day-morning/ A Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality Monday, November 19th, 2012 The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, in collaboration with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, Andhra Pradesh organized a three-day course in Indian Culture & Spirituality for the women youth of Andhra Pradesh which concluded 0n 17 November 2012. >From 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, 160 delegates attended the Course along >with the 450 students of the Anantapur Campus. The inaugural function on the >15th November started with great aplomb with a procession to the venue, led by >Veda chanting, Brass Band, bhajan singing etc. Dr Hiramalini Seshadri, a Senior Consultant, Medicine & Rheumatology presided over the inaugural function along with Prof Shashidhar Prasad, Vice Chancellor of SSSIHL, Prof Dwaraka Rani Rao, Director of the Campus, and Sri S. G. Chalam, State President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, AP. Eminent speakers delivered lectures on different facets of the tradition and culture of India during the different sessions. Evenings were set apart for cultural programmes by the local Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas students, and by the students of the Campus. There was also a well organised exhibition titled “Women-The Custodians of Culture” The Valedictory function was held on the afternoon of 17th November with Justice Prabha Sridevan as the Chief Guest. The delegates, in the feedback session, expressed their happiness at the immense benefit they derived from staying in the Sri Sathya Sai Hostels with the students, following the routine of the Campus and participating in the three-day program. This is the first time the students and staff of the Anantapur campus have arranged such a program and they demonstrated tremendous professionalism and dedication. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/11/a-course-in-indian-culture-and-spirituality/ Marati Abhang by Makarand Kalyani… Sunday, November 18th, 2012 When pure devotion blends with sheer talent, when an artiste fares himself with humility and devotion singing with complete dedication, what results is an exclusive musical feast for the Divine. In the first evening of the week-long cultural celebration ahead of the 87th birthday of Bhagawan, Marati Abhang singer Makarand Kalyani presented a soulful musical offering today here in Prasanthi Nilayam. The gifted artiste, hailing from Indore, specialised in Marati Abhang and Natya Sangeet, sang for more than an hour presenting gems of musical pieces, Marati Abhang, Hindi devotionals and Sai bhajans sung in Abhang style. Sai Bhajans sung in Abhang style turned out to be inciting, as the audience as well joined the singer lighting up the November twilight. Those numbers, especially the bhajan, Partheeshwari Jagat Janani was enough to evoke nostalgic memories of Bhagawan’s physical presence at the same venue, where He would sit on-stage listening to mellifluous singing of students. Signing off, the blessed singer sang a penultimate Hindi number, “Sai Paada Pooja Karo Hey Manva…” sending out the message to worship Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Along with other accompanists, Sri Kalyani was ably assisted by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri Music College. Even as bhajans continued, artistes along with accompanists were felicitated by Senior Trustees. Bhajans ended with Sunday Special in Bhagawan’s mellifluous voice, “Preme Muditha Manasey Kaho…” Prasadam was distributed to the session concluded with Mangala Arathi. Tomorrow, beingg 19 November, Ladies Day would be celebrated with an array of cultural programmes, both in the morning and evening. Morning session would begin at 0800 hrs. with Vedam chanting followed by introductory remark and cultural programmes. Children from Sathya Sai School, Thailand would offer a dance programme followed by Spanish bhajans by devotees from Dominican Republic. This would be followed by distribution of domestic implements for the deserved. In the evening, there would be a Piano concert by Ms Maria Jory, who would be accompanied by vocalist Ms Radha Botofasina. This programme would be followed by a Carnatic concert by the famous duo, Hyderabad Sisters. A dance drama by Primary School students would be the last item for the evening of Ladies Day 2012. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/11/marati-abhang-by-makarand-kalyani/ Music concert by Makhrand Kalyani View Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty76n3jSF8g&feature=plcp __._,_.___
