Kasthuri, the Master craftsman of Nilayam.

[Guest guest]

Shri Kasthuri has openly admitted that his voice is not suited to Bhajan singing. Moreover his temparament even before coming to Swami's fold is "service to the forelorn". He was actively engaged in service activities when he was associated with local Ramakrishna Mission in Mysore.He used to collect rice, cereals and oil for feeding the inmates of orphanages, destitutes and the downtrodden. While serving in the collages, he actively associated himself with the service schemes, gathering students and taking them to the villages where Harijans lived, and educating them on healthcare and hygine. He never considered it a taboo, to dine alongwith the villagers in their own dwellings. He was cosmopolitan in outlook and very philanthropic in heart which probably is one of the cause for choosing him and bringing him to Puttaparthy. For many decades, it was Kasthuri, who was instrumental in propagation of Divine to the outside world. He even served as a postmaster for sometime in Puttaparthy. He adorned many roles in the Nilayam. He was the editor for Sanathana sarathy for many decades. He was the official translator before others came in. He was a multilinguist. He was a Tamilian by birth, lived in Kerala(Malayalam), worked in Karnataka, learned Kannada and became a master writer in the language. When he was brought to Parthy, he learned Telugu which is a must for the position of translator and editor. His mastery in English needs no proof. Hence, the foundation for Sai era was laid with the services of such stalwarts who have come to Sai during the Patha Mandir days. In fact, It is Swami who performed the marriage of his daughter. He lived in East Prasanthi, first in a tiled house alongwith his family. His biography on Swami, "Sathyam Shivam Sundaram" is now world acclaimed one and was translated in many languages both Indian and foreign. To remember him during the birthday of Bagawan is a grand opportunity. Sairam.