Devotional Kutcheri by Vaikom Vijayalakshmi…
Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
Blind to the world outside, but bright within, visually challenged Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, who has overcome many odds in her life’s journey, is a story by herself. Today, as God’s Own Country – Kerala’s Onam celebrations reached day 4 in Prasanthi Nilayam, the evening session witnessed an enthralling musical rendering by this gifted vocalist from Vaikom, the land known for housing the famous Vaikom Shiva Temple, popularly known as Southern Kashi. Ms Vaikom Vijayalakshmi is a noted carnatic vocalist cum playback singer and an exponent of the one-stringed Gayathri Veena. Today incidentally is the Mahila Sangamam – a get-together of the women devotees from the State.
The programme commenced at 1700 hrs. with a speech by Sri Jyotilal, IAS, Principal Secretary, General Administration, Govt. of Kerala. The message of Onam can be condensed mainly into four points – surrender your ego, be optimistic always, God ever keeps His promise and, always adhere to your word, said Sri Jyotilal, referring to the legend of Onam. In the present day world of materialism and all around pollution, the senior bureaucrat observed that the solution to pollution is dilution, dilution with Sai Love, seeing Sai in everyone and everything, realising the truth that we are all premaswarupas, embodiments of love.
The evening musical kutcheri opened with an engrossing Pranamamyaham Sree Gowri Sutham and went on with Rama Nannu Brovara… followed by a couple of Sai bhajans - Darshan Deejo Bhagawan…and Tripura Sundari Maa… Acceding to the singer’s plea the entire assembly also sang in chorus. A touching vernacular number “Oru Vattam Koodi Kanduvengil, Oru Vaakku Koodi Kettuvengil…” a special prayer to Bhagawan next was followed by “Shivaraja Shankara Shambho…” The celebrated artist signed off expressing millions of salutations to Bhagawan, singing the Sai bhajan Koti Pranam Shata Koti Pranam…
With her soul stirring sacred offering, Ms Vijayalakshmi has proved that being visually challenged is no handicap at all. With her intense passion and devotion to the Lord…simplicity, discipline and determination being her forte, she moved the audience with sheer intensity, presenting an awe inspiring classical musical evening at the chosen House of the Lord in Prasanthi Nilayam.
No doubt, the ever blissful Lord for Whom she sang must have been very happy.
Vijayalakshmi was accompanied by Sri Kanjangad Anoop P Bhaskar on Violin, Kum. Ratnasree on Tabla and Smt. Sandhya Prabhu on Mridangam.
Bhajans next concluded with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan at 1825 hrs.
Earlier, the Sreemad Narayaneeya Parayanam at the Poornachandra Auditorium concluded this afternoon with Maha Mangala Arathi followed by Prasadam distribution. As a distinct part of the Narayaneeyam ritual, the sacred Njanappana Parayanam was also conducted in the morning. Njanappana is a sacred composition on the Lord of Guruvayoor, by the 16th century poet and devotee par excellence Poonthanam.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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