Impressive cultural parade marks the Kerala New Year ‘Vishu’ in Prasanthi Nilayam
Monday, April 15th, 2019
Bharat, the land with rich cultural diversity celebrates many a new year, all with traditional piety n’ gaiety. In this series of new years that fall in the month of March – April comes Vishu, the Kerala New Year. …And for the Sai fraternity, the festivity comes with greater significance, as the festivity came into His immediate Divine Presence through His ‘direct’ initiative.It was during the new year week over quarter-a-century ago at Brindavan, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Bhagawan had called for the then president of SSSSO-Kerala, Sri TN Natarajan along with his deputy, Prof. E. Mukundan, pausing an off the cuff question as to ‘When is Vishu?” …and thus the legend of ‘Vishu‘ in His immediate Divine Presence.
This morning the festive proceedings commenced at 0820 hrs. with a theme song in Malayalam, ‘Maaraam Nammukku Maaraam, Sai Sandesha Vaahakarakam…‘, a clarion call to join the stream, to be the ideal, role model Sai Youth, the Youth For Transformation, Messengers Of Sai.
A representation on the rich cultural heritage of the state followed next, featuring a colourful parade of God’s Own Country’s cultural/spiritual legacy. Beginning with the epochal entry of Emperor Mahabali, the presentation meandered into a wide variety of ‘Kerala Special’ that included, Thiruvathirakkali, a women-based group dance, Mohiniattam, one of the eight classical dance forms of India, Sri Sankaracharya’s famed Bhajagovindam, Pulikali featuring tiger dance during Onam festivity, Margamkali of the Christian community, Oppana of Malabar Muslims, Karshaka Nrityam, a seasonal dance form amongst the farming community, celebrating rich harvest, martial art form of Kalarippayattu, Kaavadiyattam, Tamil Nadu based popular Muruga worshipping dance form, equally followed in Kerala, presentation on Kerala’s special Krishna devotion, Kathakali, Kerala’s most indigenous dance form, a scintillating presentation on the Mahishasuramardini Strotram, to end with a colourful depiction of the Dasavatars, featuring Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai in the climactic end. Rich and fabulous, packed with glory galore from God’s Own Country. Truly, Kerala has always been special for Bhagawan, as He would invariably praise the rich devotional heart of Keralites.
At the end, the beautiful children converged singing in chorus the glory of The Lord Supreme, singing “Shankara Rupa Sajjana Vandita Sai Rama Namostuthey…”, the olden golden song.
Over 100 children from Kerala Balvikas and Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Aluva participated in the hour-long programme.
Bhajans by the Kerala troupe next ended with Mangala Arathi at 10:00 hrs.
Vishukkani, the auspicious sight, was arranged right in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Vishukkani, as the meaning goes by, is an indicator to the goodness, beauty, auspiciousness in the fresh year.
Bhajans by the Kerala troupe next ended with Mangala Arathi at 10:00 hrs.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Posted in Prasanthi News |
