Holi in Prasanthi Nilayam…

Holi, one of the most boisterous and colourful festival of India, often celebrated with pompous joy, zeal and enthusiasm all over India was celebrated in Prasanthi Nilayam with much devotional fervour attended by over 700 devotees from the states, Bihar and Jharkhand, on 8th and 9th of March 2012.

The festivity has been a permanent feature in the Prasanthi Festive Calendar ever since year 2005 when Bhagawan graciously consented the twin states, Bihar & Jharkhand to celebrate the festivity in His immediate Divine Presence.

Celebrating the occasion, on the 8th evening there was a musical concert by Kumari A. Jyotsna, who presented a fifty minute rendition presenting a string of devotional numbers, calming the minds and soothing the souls. Her rendition included “Ithadokade Sarvesvarudu” – a telugu number hailing Bhagawan, “Kinu Sang Khelo Holi” – a special Holi song expressing heartfelt prayer to play Holi in His Divine Presence, “Om Namah Shivaya…”, “Sundaram Sundaram” – a song on the beauty of darshan of Beloved Bhagawan, “Ram Bhajan Sukha Dayee…”, “Tora Man Darpan Kahlaye…”, “Baje re Muraliya Baje…”, “Oh Swami Pranamamee Sarvantharyamee…” to end with an Annamacharya composition “Nigama Nigamaantha…”. Regaling the audience with the beauty of her melody the young upcoming artiste incited applause from the audience after every song.

At the end of the prorgramme the artist and accompanists were felicitated by senior officials of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations from the states.

Bhajans by the state troupe continued for the next fifteen minutes that ended with Thursday Special, “Shivaya Parameshwaraya Chandrasekharaya…” in Bhagawan’s mellifluous voice. Mangala Arathi was offered at 1815 hrs.

On the second evening ardent devotee of Bhagawan and eminent Hindustani volcalist Dr. Krishna Kumar Mishra presented a musical bouquet singing a collection of Hindustani numbers. Dr. Mishra who hails from Bokaro, Jharkhand, is a trained artist from from Banaras Ghrana in Hindutani music, currently serving as Director of Music in Sarla Birla Academy, Bangalore.

Beginning with a Ganesha Vandana, “Gaiye Ganapati Jagavandana…” of Sant Tulsi Das in Rag Jog and Taal Kaharwa Dr. Mishra presented another seven more songs in his hour-long concert. The songs for the evening included “Sai Vandana Sai Archana”, “Man Re Laga Mero Yaar Fakiri Me…” – a Sant Kabir composition based on Rag Piloo and Taal Kaharwa, “Sai Ram, Sai, Satya Sai Ram Kahiye…” based on the lines of the epic Ramayana by Sant Tulsi Das sang in traditional folk tune, “Aaj Biraj Me Hori Re Rasiye..” – traditional folk songs from Braj Bhoomi based on Taal Kaharwa , “Sawan Jhari Lagi Ho Dhire Dhire…” – traditional Dadra of Banaras based on Taal Dadra to end with a final song “Holi Khelat Raghuveera Awadh Me…” in traditional Bhojpuri folk tune based on Taal Kaharwa.

Dr. Mishra was accompanied by a host of musicians playing on various instruments. They were Rajkumar Mudani on Tabla, Balkrishna on Violin, Edwin Das on Sitar, Govind on Keyboard, Ravi on Guitar, Vinish Babu and Vikash Naragal on Side Rhythm, Rajgopal on Dholak and Tabla and Sanjay Kumar Singh.

At the end of the presentation the artist and accompanists were felicitated and Prasadam was distributed.

After 15 minutes bhajans by the devotees from the states, Mangala Arathi was offered at 1810 hrs.

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Earlier, devotees from the state took out a Palanquin Procession in the morning celebrating the occasion in traditional, colourful style. The procession that was marked with a riot of colours had the thrills and frills of the festivity and was attended by hundreds of devotees from the twin states camping in Prasanthi Nilayam.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II