Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam - 24th November 2005

[Guest guest]

describe the grandeur, glory, splendour, magnificence and majesty of the 80th

Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam. It

is said, "When the heart is full, words are few". However, we have made a

humble attempt to pen the picture of the evening programme of Bhagawan Birthday

which was held in the Hill View Stadium. Bhagawan arrived at the stadium in a

dazzling yellow robe at 5.00 p.m. Swami was led to the stadium by a long

procession of performing artistes from different States. The first group in the

procession was a folklore dance from Tamil Nadu followed by Garba dance from

Gujarat, folk dance from Orissa, folk dance from Sangli district of

Maharashtra, Kavadi dance from Kerala, Nadaswaram troupe from the Anantapur

Campus, Pipers from the Primary School, Band from the Anantapur Campus, Band

from the Primary School, the Institute brass band and Bhangra dance from

Primary School. After arriving in the stage, Bhagawan sat in the beautiful

silver

throne for the programme. Oh! What a sight, a sight to behold even for the gods

and angels of the highest heavens. All along the procession, a welcome was sung

in the background with the lyrics "Sai's Birthday is a festival for Sathya,

Dharma, Santhi and Prema. Happy Birthday to You Bhagawan." The special stage

set up on the western side of the stadium looked magnificent with lighting and

other paraphernalia. Two renowned artistes of Hindustani music Pandit Shiv

Kumar Sharma and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan sought the blessings of Bhagawan before

beginning their performances. Sri Sai Kumar compering the show began saying

that people from all countries, cultures without any barriers of caste, creed,

religion and nationality have assembled here in Prasanthi Nilayam for

Bhagawan's Birthday. The first to perform was Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and

Rahul Sharma on Santoor. Shiv Kumar Sharma began by saying that he had the good

fortune of playing in Bhagawan's presence in the 70's. He also had the good

fortune to perform in the 60th, 70th and now in the 80th Birthday of Bhagawan.

Fazal Quereshi played on the drum and Yogesh Samshi played on the Tabla. The

audience was treated to a rich variety of music. The santoor recital ended on a

high note with the refrain "Baba, we love you". The Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan

with Aman Ali Bangsha, Ayan Ali Bangsha and wife Subbalakshmi gave a

scintillating performance. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said that it was a great

opportunity for them to offer musical tribute to Swami. His second piece

Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram was enjoyed by one and all. Begum Parveen

Sultana, doyen of

Hindustani classical music thanked Bhagawan for this greatest opportunity. She

began her performance with a composition of Ustad Dilshad Khan. The Ustad had

specially composed the song for the occasion. Her next song was Payoji Maine

Ram Ratan Dhan Payo (I have got the precious wealth of the gem of Rama Nama).

She ended her performance with the song Sai Ram, Sai Ram, Sumiran Karoon

Sakhala Dukh Haran (the holy name Sai Ram, if chanted removes all types of

grief). Suddenly from the top of the stage, one could see green streaks of

light beaming all over the stadium. It was a laser light show coupled with high

decibels of music. The streaks of light could be seen in the sky making

different types of patterns. Then L. Subramanyam with Kavita Krishnamurthy

took the centre stage. The speciality of the programme was 80 students from the

Institute participated in the choir.

We are fortunate and blessed to be here in the Divine presence, said the

violinist, Sri Subramanyam. L. Subramanyam began with Vathapi Ganapathim

Bhajeham, a composition of Muthuswami Dikshitar. Then the special Birthday song

composed for the occasion was led by Smt. Kavita Krishnamurthy, in which the

students participated. The lyrics of the song ran thus: "We seek Your blessings

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, You are the guiding light." The celebrated western

classical vocal singer Dana Gillespie was the next to perform. She sang two

songs: "What can I give to the One who has everythingWho holds the whole

world in the palm of His Hand? …" And "With the lamp of love you'll never

be in darknessIf you hold it near, it'll take you far …" Both the songs

enraptured the audience and maintained the tempo of the programme. Again

there was the laser light show, this time with a fabulous display of fireworks.

The fireworks illumined the sky and it was a spectacular sight to watch. What

more, with music in the background, the audience enjoyed every bit of it.

Another impressive sight to watch was multi-directional lights from the Hanuman

statue. One could see streaks of light swaying in the sky. Then, Ms. Richa

Sharma sang a devotional song, all along signalling to the audience to

participate in her song. After Ms. Richa Sharma's performance, all the artistes

went down the stage to seek blessings from Bhagawan. Again there was a display

of fireworks. After

Arati was offered to Bhagawan, He left for His Abode at 7.25 p.m. Truly, this

memorable and grand 80th Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

will be etched in the hearts of one and all. Text source:

http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/PrasanthiNews.htm