International Choir by Russian Speaking Countries…
Friday, July 6th, 2012
Russians have a unique distinction of having recognized by Bhagawan Himself, the Avatar Of The Age, Who, many a time, chose to describe their devotion, ‘indescribable’!!!
In His Divine Discourse during the occasion of Maha Shivarathri 2007, Bhgawan spoke thus: “I intend to undertake a world tour, shortly. Several devotees are coming here from Africa and Russia. The devotion of the Russians is indescribable. There are several Russian devotees sitting in this hall. They enjoy a lot, My discourse. (Pointing towards the Russian devotees) “Look! Those devotees with raised hands are all Russians.” They are all very devoted. (Pointing towards the Russian devotees again …) “You are not Russians. You belong to our country only! I love you all.” …And Bhagawan continued:
“Dear students! There are several countries in the world like Russia, America, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, etc. Though the countries are different, the people living in all those countries belong to us only! They helped a lot for the construction of the Indoor Stadium in Prasanthi Nilayam. They worked hard day and night. They love Swami intensely. Wherever I go, they follow Me. They run after My car. They even came to Chennai (Madras) recently when I was there. They are coming here, unmindful of the great difficulties and expense. You have to learn a lot from their devotion to Swami.”
This wonderful bunch of Russians came once again, with their hearts full of love for the Lord Who acknowledged their devotion, to sing once again in His presence. On the sidelines of Guru Purnima 2012, on 6th July, twelve Russian speaking countries joined in unison presenting a Choir Programme at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Dressed in a red-white combine of flowing attire, with women distinguishing themselves with floral headband, with men wearing white hats studded with red flower, this 120 bunch of musicians belonged to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
With nostalgic memoirs of their previous outing, in the same venue, on the 12th July 2010, pounding their hearts, wherein they went ‘on air’ tickling their vocal cords producing mellifluous music appeasing their Lord, mesmerizing a packed hall with their ‘tilting and swaying music’ singing with greater harmony, this Russian bunch for the evening went on singing eleven songs that lasted forty minutes. Ms. Faiza from Kazakhstan conducted the show for this year.
Starting with a piece entitled, ‘O Lord! Please hear this song’, the theme of the Choir too evolved in the same manner depicting man’s spiritual path. Facing adversity, finding hope, glorifying God, surrender and self-belief were the themes of their various songs with the Russian national song, ‘Kalinka’ forming the crescendo of the concert. Other songs were, “Sorrow and grief don’t frighten us…”, “May the Divine news fly all over Russia…”, “The Soul is full of pure light…”, “Shirdiden olan Sai…”, “May kindness be on Earth…”, “Pilgrims of love…”, “The circle gets locked…”, “We are the echo…”, “Believe in yourself…” etc.
Bhajans continued, first by the visiting Russians followed by the students. The packed assembly enjoyed every bit of the session and welcomed the Russians with thunderous applause. All participants were honoured with clothes and prasadam was distributed to the gathering.
Singing the Choir, the Russians echoed, “We are the echo…” and true to the song, this Russian bunch echoed their Pure Love for their Beloved Sai…and what Sai Kulwant witnessed was Pure Love from these ‘Pilgrims Of Love…”! Bringing a combined team from twelve Russian speaking countries of Zone – 8 of Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Worldwide, and singing in unison, this bunch of ‘Russians’, for sure, have made their Swami proud, setting a greater example for His dictum, Unity In Diversity…Indeed USSR is United Sathya Sai Republic!
II Samasta Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu ll
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