Theanamudha Divya Satsangs August & September 2014

Music and Food

An international celebrity was recently asked: What comes to your mind when you think of India? Her reply was stunningly brief and truthful: Music and Food! 

Music obviously is a powerful unifying force, bringing people together across boundaries of geography, religion and culture. When such music is spiritually elevating, the impact lasts longer. We were witness to this phenomenon when the Britten Sinfonia, an internationally celebrated ensemble, performed in Bangalore with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his two talented sons in a concerto. 

Amjad Ali led from the front with Tagore’s “Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla cholo re” and Bapu’s favourite dhun ‘Vaishnav janato’. After a while, the melodious waves of thumris set to Raag Bhairavi and Khamaj swept everyone away.

Being my childhood inspiration, Tagore’s 'Ekla cholo re' is evergreen: “If they answer not to thy call, walk alone; if they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall, open thy mind and speak out alone. When you face storms of troubles, Darkness overpowers the truth, when the world bows to the fear, be the fire that lights up the darkened world while burning itself.”

The musicians’ tribute to founding fathers of our freedom couldn't have been better conveyed.

On tour with Sri Sri

12th August 2014

Sri Sri was visiting the legendary temple town of Bhavani after a long gap. We landed in the town few hours earlier to get ready for the big event to follow.  A crew working on Enviro- awareness and Tree planting asked us to partake in their film shoot.  Singing to lyrics set to peppy music and in a scenic setting, provided a good starter.

A very large congregation at the majestic Platinum Mahal was in for a lively treat of bhajans, meditation and a thought provoking Q & A with Sri Sri. One of the questions was on the topic of pitru dosh. (It is nothing but the karmic debt of the ancestors which the person having Pitru Dosh is supposed to pay. To appreciate this theory, we must remember that in most of the cases a person born in a family line is none other than one of his own ancestors)

 Here was the pithy response from Gurudev that had the audience in splits. “You can’t say that you will selectively inherit only their wealth!”

Unconditional love!

Here was a touching moment when two kid brothers climbed upon the stage with their grand father to hand out roses before the satsang began.

A touching moment of unconditional love from the  third generation of AOL satsangees!

13th August 2014
Several thousand assembled to witness a mega yagna conducted by the talented alumni of our Gurukul at the BVB grounds, Erode.

14th August 2014
Warm welcome from the Salem family at the foothills of Yercaud. Commenced the first Art of Silence retreat here.  Exuberance of both Independence Day and Janmashtami was palpable.