The festival of Diwali was celebrated with much devotional fervour with the state of Gujarat takes the lead in the proceedings on 26th Oct evening in Prasanthi Nilayam.
The programme commenced with State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Sri Manohar G. Trikannad introducing the session. He also presented a brief profile of various seva activities in the state.
The first programme was h Ganesha Vandana followed by a couple of traditional Folk Dances by the Youth of Gujarat reminiscing the golden days of Lord Krishna during Dwapara Age.
The lead item for the day was to follow. Rajendra D. Raval, an Ahmedabad based whiz in Sword Dance, 'Talwar Nrutya' took the centre-stage drawing attention of the riveting eyes, whirling himself continuously for the next more than fifteen minutes, weaving magic with precision. Beginning with a sword, the accomplished artist gracefully whirled with one-pointed attention, while moving the sword at ease, relaxing his grips and leaving the same quite free. He followed his feat with twin swords, stunning the audience, receiving rapturous applause. Non-stop he was whirling that the artist continued with weaving magic, this time creating a peacock from multi-coloured cotton sari. Two more feats followed wherein, in tandem with his whirling movement, he created a pigeon followed by a rabbit.
At the end of the programme artistes were felicitated with safari pieces and group photograph was taken. Bhajans by Gujarat Youth continued for the next half-an-hour. Prasadam was distributed and Mangala Ararthi was offered at 1800 hrs.
