'Dasavataram', a Dance Drama by Balvikas Children of Kerala
September 10, 2008
Onam is definitely the most joyous and precious occasion for the Keralites irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The festival marks the annual visit of Mahabali to his erstwhile kingdom, reminding the reign of equality and justice.
It is customary for all Keralites to be at their ancestral homes with their parents to celebrate the festivity. The devotees of Bhagawan Baba flock to Prashanthi Nilayam in thousands to celebrate Onam in the Divine Presence.
Onam celebrations this year began in the evening of 10th September as Bhagawan came to the Sai Kulwant Hall amidst Veda chanting. Sacred notes of the Mangalavadya Nadaswaram announced the commencement of the celebrations. There was a dance drama entitled “Dasavataram” by the Bal vikas children of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The children enacted various episodes from the Dasavataram, particularly Narasimha, Vamana, Rama, Krishna and Buddha. The programme concluded with bhajans and Mangala Aarathi to Bhagawan.
'Rama - The Embodiment of Love', a Skit by students of Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, and Balvikas Children of Kerala
September 11, 2008
The celebrations for the second day commenced in the evening of 11th September. Bhagawan was received to Sai Kulwant hall with Veda and Nadaswaram at 3:30 PM. As Bhagawan occupied the dais, He instructed the students to start the Veda class; they dealt with the second and third Anuvakams of the Namakam.
What followed was a drama by the students of Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, Alwaye and the Bal Vikas children of Eranakulam, entitled “Rama – the embodiment of Love”. It was a bouquet of various incidents from the life of the Avatar, taken from Bhagawan’s Discourses. The opening scene demonstrated the love between Rama and His brothers. It went on to depict the surrender of Sugreeva, Vibheeshana and Hanuman.
Bhagawan was pleased with the performance and blessed the participants with the most coveted group photo. Vastram was distributed to all.
Next offering was Sampradaya Bhajan by Sri Padmakumar. All devotees joined the fast tempo songs clapping their hands enthusiastically. The programme concluded with Mangala Aarathi.
Even as Aarathi was over, Bhagawan spent some time in the dais and interacted with the participants of the drama. He remarked that the children had put in their best effort; that was why they could bring about such a wonderful performance. He particularly congratulated children who enacted the roles of Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Bhagawan added that the dialogue, music and costumes were also excellent. He told the children that He would come to Kerala and their school. Bhagawan said; He knew that children were very anxious as to how the drama would come out and they had been working tirelessly since morning. Now that everything turned out fine they could go back and take rest. Bhagawan blessed the chilren with Abhayahastha.
Procession and Music Concert
September 12, 2008
Morning
12th September was the Thiruvonam day. The Sai Kulwant hall was bedecked to the occasion with the festoons made of Kuruthola (Tender coconut leaves). The stage was aesthetically decorated with fresh flowers and ornamental umbrellas (Muthukkuda) adorned the periphery of the auditorium. A traditional Pookkalam (floral design) was arranged in front of the dais along with Nirapara, Nilavilakku (step lamp), Onathappan (onam deity) and other auspicious offerings like flowers and fruits. (Nirapara is a full measure of paddy heaped for ceremonial offerings; a traditional measuring container would be filled to the brim with paddy and decorated with ‘Thengin Pookula’ (tender coconut flowers).
Bhagawn made His grand entry at 9:35 a.m. and was traditionally received with Poornakumbham, accompanied by a colorful procession consisting of band, Veda group and thalapoli (Thalappoli, a ceremonial procession, is a significant item in most of the festivals in Kerala In this ritual, women or young girls carry thalam, which literally means plate, in their hands. Thalam is filled with rice, flowers and a lighted lamp. Thalappoli is considered a symbol of prosperity).
As Bhagawan made entry into the hall, auspicious notes of Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam filled the ambience. After granting darshan to one and all Bhagawan occupied the dais and inaugurated the function by lighting the sacred lamp. After a few moments Panchavadyam (orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form has evolved in Kerala) and Nadaswaram (one of the most popular classical instruments of South India) gave way to Thayambaka by students (Thayambaka is a type of solo chenda performance that developed in the South Indian state of Kerala, in which the main player at the centre improvises rhythmically on the beats of half-a-dozen or a few more chenda and Ilathaalam players around) – initially in a low tempo progressively increasing to a thunderous climax!
As Veda chanting continued, Bhagawan permitted to commence the music programme by receiving the offering of flowers from the singers. The singers of the session were Sri Kavalam Sreekumar, Sri Pranavam Sankaran Namboodiri and Sri Yogesh Sharma.
After invoking Ganesha and Guru with Vandana Shlokas, the music programme began with a Malayalam composition expressing the devotees love and longing for Bhagawan. Compositions of Thyagaraja, Purandaradasa and Meerabhai followed. The programme concluded with a traditional hymn – ‘Narayanam Bhaje Narayanam” – to which all devotees joined in chorus.
Mangala Aarathi followed. To the surprise and joy of all Bhagawan asked the Institute boys to sing a couple of Bhajans. Before returning to the Yajur Mandiram, Bhagawan instructed the State President of Kerala to announce that there would be Divine Discourse and drama in the evening.
Speech, Divine Discourse and "Savitri - The Embodiment of Shakthi", a skit by Balvikas Children
September 12, 2008
Evening
In the evening at 4 p.m. even before Bhagawani arrived the Veda class by the Institute students commenced, covering the fourth and fifth Anuvakams of Namakam. Bhagawan graciously arrived into the Sai Kulwant Hall as the class was in progress, granting Darshan to all.
The first item of the evening was a brief speech by Master Abith, a student of the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth, Sreesailam, Quilandi near Calicut. He began by sharing the good fortune of the devotees in the opportunity to celebrate Onam in the Divine presence of Sai Vamana. He recounted and experience of how Sai Gayathri saved one of his teachers, as he fell into a well during a Seva activity. He also shared how Vibhoothi saved the life of a cow of the Gokulam from the fatal foot and mouth disease. He concluded by sharing his love and gratitude to Bhagawan on behalf of all students and staff of Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth and all Sai devotees of Kerala.
After the brief narrative, Bhagawan graciously delivered the Onam discourse, with introductory verse as the glory of Bharath. Having been born in Bharath, one has to live up to its glory. Today’s education and technology is promoting a mad race after money, but Bhagawan reminded, Money comes and goes; morality comes and grows. One has to cultivate spiritual outlook and self confidence to realize the true meaning and purpose of life. Truth is the father of the whole world and Dharma is the mother. Then only can Shanthi and Prema prevail in the world. Bhagawan escorted the devotees to imbibe the virtue of sacrifice from Emperor Bali. Bhagawan congratulated the Bal Vikas children of Kerala for putting up excellent cultural programmes; Bhagawan also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of Mahilas in preparing them. Bhagawan reminded the devotees to keep up the standard set by them. He also urged them to watch the drama on Savitri (that was to follow) carefully and imbibe values of courage and confidence.
The next item was a dance drama entitled “Savithri – the embodiment of Shakthi”, by the Bal Vikas children of Alappuzha district. The drama depicted how Savithri recovered her dead husband from Yamadharma through her penance out of chastity and courage. The powerful dialogues and dramatic situation left the audience glued to the drama. The befitting conclusion was a beautiful, vibrant dance depicting Adi Parasakthi as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi, followed by all participants paying their salutations to Mother Sai. Bhagawan blessed all participants and Vasthram was gifted to all children as a token of Bhagawan’s grace.
Bhajans by the Institute students followed. The programme for the evening concluded with Mangala Aarathi to Bhagawan.
