A REMARKABLE DEVOTEE MERGES IN HER MASTER DIVINE
- a Tribute to Mrs. Anjali Devi
She might have been a renowned actress who filled her fans with joy for several
decades. But for the Sai family she was a simple, sincere devotee ever ready to
serve our beloved Bhagawan. Anjali Devi, veteran of over 500 films in Telugu,
Tamil, Kannada and Hindi merged in Swami on 13 Jan 2014.
Anjali Devi in the service of her Divine Master
Coming to Bhagawan in the 60s
Drawn to Swami in the early 60s during a sudden poor run in the movie industry,
Mrs. Anjali Devi and her husband, Mr. Adi Narayana Rao were assured by Baba
that their fortunes will turn for the better shortly. Needless to say,
Bhagawan’s words came true and the couple became devotees for life. It was not
the assurance alone, that drew them. The majesty of the form and the ecstasy
they felt in His presence brought tears to their eyes. Anjali Devi recollecting
this incident 42 years later said, “Though so many years have passed, the same
feeling of excitement coupled with happiness, wells up in my heart when I have
Swami's darshan. And I am certain that it will be the same till I breathe my
last.”
A Conversation with Mrs. Anjali Devi in Telugu
Divine Guidance All Through in Her Career
Bhagawan instructed the couple to make the movie Sati Sakkubai (1965) which
altogether changed the tides of fortune for the family’s production house. In
fact Baba instructed the couple to release the movie under a new banner, Chinni
Brothers (named after her children). The movie went on to be a hit of the year,
with a successful hundred-days run. The couple later produced many other
successful movies under this new banner.
But deep in her heart, Mrs. Anjali Devi wished to resurrect the earlier
production house of the family, Anjali Pictures. Bhagawan Who heard her
unexpressed wish, instructed her to make the movie Bhakta Tukaram (1973) under
the Anjali Pictures banner. The music for the film given by her husband, Mr.
Adinarayana Rao and immortalised by the voice of another devotee of Bhagawan,
Ghantasala would be presented before Bhagawan by His students and devotees a
number of times in the years that followed. (‘Ghanaa Ghana Sundaraa Karunaa
Rasa Mandiraa’, for example).
It is indeed quite interesting how Baba, even as He favoured a devotee through
His timely guidance, also directed them to give movies to the people that
raised their consciousness.
Swami with Mrs. Anjali Devi (third from left) and her husband, Mr. Adi
Narayana Rao. Also seen is the legendary singer, P. Susheela (far right)
Longing to Serve Her Swami
A devotee always yearns to use one's talents to make an offering to the Lord.
That was the case with Anjali Devi too. She fervently nurtured the desire to
one day make a movie on Baba. But Baba was least interested and so the prayer
remained unanswered for a long while. In the meantime, Bhagawan had given her
the opportunity, on a few occasions to train His students for the dramas they
would stage for Bhagawan. That way, she found some fulfilment of offering her
talent to the Lord. Even during those times, more than the chance of training
His boys, what she cherished was the opportunity to see Swami Himself come and
correct and train the students after she was done with her training.
Bhagawan asked Mrs. Anjali Devi on several occasions to
finetune His students skills in acting, scripting and directing a play
It is said that a devotee's true triumph lies in finding that permanent place
in the heart of the Lord. One could say with confidence, that Anjali Devi had
accomplished that feat.
Each time Bhagawan would talk about Hanuman, He would say, “Hanuman was born to
queen Anjani Devi. Not Anjali Devi, the film star!”The audience would burst
into ripples of laughter, but what can give more joy to a devotee than being
remembered by the Lord Himself, even if in a light hearted manner
(Interestingly, her original name was Anjani!). And also, it is difficult to
put a number to the many times Baba has seen her movies, Bhakta Prahlada (where
she played the role of Prahlada's mother) and Lava Kusa (where she donned the
role of Mother Sita) with His students.
With years, Anjali Devi had given up the idea of the film on Swami. But Swami
had His own plans and timings for them. One day, out of the blue the permission
that had not been given for years was given unasked. Not just that, Baba gave
her a series of interviews in which Swami personally revealed to her the entire
story of the Shirdi and the Sathya Sai Avatar. We all know that Baba never gave
a thought to means and ways of publicity. In that case, the attention that He
gave to this project stands a testimony to the pure devotion of Anjali Devi. He
visited the sets, spoke to the crew and even permitted her to cast some of His
own students from the school in the film. On Gurupoornima day of 1998, Swami
blessed the telefilm and exactly one year later released it.
A Dream Come True for the Dear Devotee
The film was made as a tele-serial, originally in Telugu - Shirdi Sai Parthi
Sai Divya Katha; but it went on to be translated into many languages. Not only
did Anjali Devi finally get to make the film she so dearly wanted to, but she
also played the roles of Devagiri Amma and Easwaramma (the mothers of the two
Avatars) fulfilling another deep and sublime desire. On the occasion of the
film's release Bhagawan blessed Anjali Devi by materialising an ornate gold
necklace for her.
Anjali Devi playing the roles of Devagiri Amma (left) and Mother
Easwaramma in the telefilm 'Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai Divya Katha'
'Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai Divya Katha' Archives
The Exemplary Devotion of a Legendary Devotee
The world may remember her as a performer par excellence, a successful producer
or a veteran actress. But we remember her as a pure, simple and humble devotee.
Please do not mistake this for a presumption or a foregone conclusion. We at
Radio Sai have been a witness to her humility and devotion. Recollecting her
years with Swami would choke her and fill her eyes with tears of joy. Her
simplicity, and pleasant and soft speech made us forget that we were in the
presence of a legend. That for us was a true devotee. We remember her today and
shall remember her forever as one dear devotee of our beloved Bhagawan. We are
certain that the resting place for such a devotee can be none else than His
lotus feet.
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