Cultural Program by the devotees of Medak District, Andhra Pradesh

July 11-12, 2007

PARTHI YATRA FOR SAI DARSHAN

Mass Move by an Andhra Group of Devotees to the Holy Land

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations from the district of Medak, Andhra Pradesh arranged a 3-day pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam from 10th to 12th July 2007. About 5,000 people from this district – men, women and children, made their trip to Prasanthi Nilayam. On 11th July 2007, Bhagawan fulfilled their aspirations by condescending to their prayer to stage a programme in Sai Kulwant Hall. The central portion of the Hall was aesthetically decked up with digital print panels which also formed the backdrop for the musical dance drama “Amma” (mother).

The dance drama begins with an announcement that people of the district are blissfully drinking the pellucid water of Sri Sathya Sai Water Project with the divine name on their lips. A beautifully choreographed invocation dance followed the announcement. The scene then shifts to a rural setting where Tirupati Venkanna, who plays a major role in the drama pleads with doctors for performing the eye operation of his mother. But, the doctor asks for an exorbitant fee to perform the operation. Here the rapacious greed of the doctors is well portrayed when the doctor asks for a few lakhs of rupees for the surgery. The same operation is done totally free of cost in Bhagawan’s hospital. Another poignant scene wherein Ramu working in a company in Hyderabad tells his mother, Parvatamma that he has no time to spend with her since he could utilise the time spent to earn money in Hyderabad. He even goes to the extent to giving a cheque to his mother as a means of repayment for all that she had done to him in his life right from the time she bore him as a child. But the mother tears the cheque saying that she does not require his money, but wants his presence. The mother opines, “If the son calls with love “Amma”, that is enough for me.” Venkanna enters the scene and calls her with love “Amma”. Parvatamma thinks that it is her son. Then Venkanna asks her whether he cannot call her “Amma”. He takes her to his house and takes good care of her.

Ramu in the course of his office work goes to his boss with a contract worth lakhs of rupees. But the boss says that he would sign the contract only after thoroughly scrutinising the document. Ramu is heartbroken because the boss doubts his integrity, having worked tirelessly and sincerely for the company. The boss chastises Ramu for not taking care of his mother and for giving a hefty sum of money as a form of repayment for all that she did to him. Swami says that mother is God and she has to be respected. The son realises his mistake and repents.

The boss goes to the house of Venkanna, where Parvatamma stays and tells her that he was going to remove her son from the job, doubting his integrity. It is then that the qualities of the mother are highlighted. Parvatamma speaks highly of her son saying that he had given his heart and soul for the company and his son cannot be mistrusted. The son who is all the while in the background enters the scene and sheds tears of repentance. The mother says that Bhagawan has lighted the torch of love in their hearts and gives a clarion calls to go to Prasanthi Nilayam and have His Darshan. After a dance, the entire cast converged in front of Bhagawan to seek His blessings. Bhagawan in all His compassion goes amidst them and showers His love on them. He also gives them the coveted opportunity to be photographed with Him. Bhagawan also distributed clothes to all the participants that was followed by Prasadam distribution.

At 5.15 p.m. there was a huge rally by the members of the organisation. Groups of devotees came one after the other. The Mahila (ladies) wing of the organisation took the lead, some chanting Lalita Sahasranama Stotra, while some dancing their way in the traditional dance Kolattam, Lambada tribe showcasing their culture, a group conveying the dictum:

“Let us all move together, let us all grow together,
Let us all stay united and grow in intelligence together,
Let us live together with friendship and harmony.”

When a group of Mahilas came near the stage, an announcement was made that these ladies were doing yeoman service by teaching human values to villagers. As the beeline of ladies groups ended, it was the turn of the men’s wing of the organisation. Pandari Bhajan in the Maharashtra tradition, then a few men dressed as Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman and Lava and Kusa, Bhajan singing group, Kolattam group, to mention a few. The procession ended with a mobile model of Sri Sathya Sai Water Supply Project which Bhagawan had done for the district of Medak as an expression of their gratitude for providing water to their district. After Bhajans by the students, Arati was offered to Bhagawan at 6.05 p.m.

On the 12th of July the yatra concluded with a music program by the devotees of the district.