Andhra Pradesh   

Cultural show captivates Sai devotees

VIZIANAGARAM: Overcast sky, chilly wind and occasional drizzle due to depression in Bay of Bengal did not deter music lovers and Sri Satya Sai Baba devotees from attending the music concerts on the occasion of the 83rd birthday celebrations of the Baba, organised by the Bharat Cultural Integration Committee and Madras Telugu Academy at Ayodhya Maidan here on Saturday.

T.V.K. Shastry, chief convenor, said that the twin organisations were launched in 1981 with the blessings of the Baba. Since then, the second day of the National Festival, Spirit of Unity Concerts for Universal Integration, was dedicated to him as a gratitude and devotion. He said that the Baba himself sent 5000 of his photo cards and an equal number of ‘vibhudi’ (ash) packets for distribution at the venue.

The day’s morning session witnessed vocal recital by D. Rajalakshmi from Nellore and Marty Vasantha Subbalakshmi, visually impaired, from Hyderabad. The expansive elaboration of Annamayya kirtana, Tirumala Giriraya by Ms. Rajalakshmi and ‘Nallani menu nagavu choopula vaadu’ and ‘Gangavole nirmalam Sai naamam’ by Ms. Subbalakshmi and Jaganmohini on mridangam enthralled the audience. Ms. Mahuyanandi from Visakhapatnam gave scintillating performance with Meera bajans and Hindustani classical.

The day’s highlight was the dance by 12 mentally-challenged children of Lebenshilfe from Visakhapatnam. Their dance synchronizing the song ‘Mamu Ganna Thalli…’ by 10 little children in chorus, have once again proved that they are no inferior to others, of course, if imparted training. T. Saraswathi and V. Mahalakshmi, directors of Lebenshilfe, received applause for their efforts.

Samaikya Bharat Swarna Puraskar of Rs.1,01,116 each, instituted by the BCIC and the MTA was presented to Sufi saint Khaak Paaye Taj Khadar Sri Sri Md. Atavulla Sharif Sha Khadari Baba for his sustained efforts to promote peace and brotherhood and also for feeding the poor people for the last four decades and violin exponent Dwaram Mangathayaru, daughter of renowned violinist Dwaram Venkataswami Naidu.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

5,000 people evacuated in Krishna district
Shiv Shankar says Sonia lacks political values
Abhishek Bachchan all the way
A riot of colour!
Three fishermen missing
Cultural show captivates Sai devotees
Programme for rural youth
Living in the thick of pollution
Telugu Mahila to submit liquor barons’ list to State
Legal Aid Week observed
Winged predator
MP sore with Jagan
15 students taken ill
Weekend masti!
PR faults State on land acquisition
Saibaba launches ‘vishwa shanthi yagnam’
Music in the air
Promoted as head constables
Cancer awareness week
School expo
Depression weakens
Training programme organised
‘Mother tongue week’ observed
No escape
TIFR, HCU sign MoU

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu