PHOTOGRAPHS & REPORT - ANNUAL SPORTS AND CULTURAL MEET 2006

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Prashanthi Nilayam. ..."

ANNUAL SPORTS AND CULTURAL MEET 2006

The Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of Sri Sathya Sai Educational institutions

is a much sought after event every year. Devotees and parents of wards throng

Prasanthi Nilayam days ahead of this gala festivity, as it is called in

Prasanthi parlance – The Annual Sports and Cultural Festival. To the many

festivals that dot the Prasanthi calendar, the sports and cultural festival has

added significance since it is performed by the students of Sri Sathya Sai

Educational Institutions of Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and Anantapur Campuses

under the divine guidance of Revered Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Like the bygone years, this year too, the event had all the richness of

quality, colour, exuberance, enthusiasm, valour, courage, balance and skill.

Being the 25th year of the Institute’s formation, the students and staff

extended a warm welcome to everyone present in the Hill View stadium. Bhagawan

arrived in the stadium in a sparkling yellow robe at 8.00 a.m. “The time to be

happy is now. The place to be happy is here”, was the announcement made in the

Public Address system. Truly, with Bhagawan in our midst, there cannot be a

happier moment. Crimson caparisoned Sai Geeta, Bhagawan’s dear elephant led the

procession followed by the escort team comprising students in motor bikes

entered the stadium as the band troupe of the Anantapur campus played sonorous

notes. Midway through the stadium, the Prasanthi Nilayam campus brass band

stirred up a lively note when the contingent of Lion dancers welcomed Bhagawan.

Bhagawan was received in the dais by the wardens and principals of the three

campuses. At 8.10 a.m., Bhagawan lighted the ceremonial lamp to mark the

commencement of the proceedings. Then tiny tots from the Primary school came to

the dais to offer their obeisance to Bhagawan.

The march past parade commenced with students from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School

in their regal attire marching sprightly to the beats of the brass band of

Prasanthi Nilayam campus. They were followed by the girls section of Sri Sathya

Sai Primary School. It was then the turn of students from the Anantapur campus

of the Institute, followed by students from Sri Sathya Sai Junior college,

Anantapur. Marching contingents from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School,

Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan campus of the Institute, Prasanthi Nilayam campus,

Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music and Postgraduate students’ squad from

Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the Institute followed suit. Finally ringing up the

rear of the parade was the award winning squad from the Prasanthi Nilayam and

Brindavan campus of the Institute. A special squad of the Institute brought the

Institute flag to be hoisted by the Revered Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba. The Institute captain then read out the oath which was repeated by all

the students. A part of it is reproduced for the benefit of readers. “We, the

children of Sai will take part in the Sports Meet in true spirit of

sportsmanship, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them for the

glory of sport, nation and our beloved Mother Sai.”

Bhagawan lighted the torch and released pigeons and balloons to mark the happy

occasion. A song which ran as follows was played in the background: “Flame of

truth, flame of joy, flame of peace …” as students in pairs carried the torch

to the mascot of this year’s sports meet, Peacock which lit the sports meet urn

at the Hanuman hilltop.

Education is about building men of character. The students of Sai are in the

society, for the society, but not of the society. With these words, an

impressive display of items was presented by the students of Prasanthi Nilayam.

A revolving tower with the words, Purity, Patience and Perseverance was

displayed in the background which formed the theme of their presentation. Huge

figures on stilts representing diverse sections of society added colour to the

occasion. A medley of dance and martial arts followed. The Prasanthi Lions

displayed their grit and determination with daredevilry coupled with aesthetic

flavour. Lion dance, which is famous in China and the Far East was displayed

with dexterity by the students. What takes months to learn was mastered by

these students in a few days. Dancing to the lively beats, the Prasanthi Lions

offered their obeisance to Bhagawan. Then a breathtaking feat of pillar

crossover, as it is called in Chinese parlance was achieved with perfection.

Activity is the only passport to happiness. What followed was symmetric movement

on poles. The focus of attention then shifted to two giant wheels each weighing

two tonnes each. The performing students saluted Bhagawan from atop the wheel.

Feats like hanging with their head downwards, headstand, Padmasana and

Chakrasana were performed from the giant wheels with adroitness. Bend the body,

mend the mind and end the senses. A scintillating display of acrobatics like

snooping nosedive, acrobatics on rings, on cartwheels and jumping over fire was

displayed by the students. Playing drums with ease and exchanging drums without

missing a beat was the next performance.

Huge flags were swayed in the background. When the going gets tough, only the

tough gets going. Students climbed smooth slippery logs of wood and performed

various Asanas. Calling themselves Delta Force Warriors, these indomitable

warriors made rhythmic movements. The next performance was display of Yogasanas

with Siva Tandava dance in the background. A delightful mix of items followed –

shooting balloons in the air, balancing on moving wheels, dunking of basketball

in the basket with hurdles at every step and forming pyramids was displayed in

the performing area.

At the end of the performance, the staff of Prasanthi Nilayam campus marched to

the performing area carrying flags while students carried beautiful portraits

and sets used during the performance. They converged to pay their heartfelt

obeisance to Bhagawan.

The last programme of the morning session was presented by the students of

Anantapur campus of the Institute. The theme of their presentation was Unity of

Religions. “Religions are many but goal is one. Clothes are many, but yarn is

one. Jewels are many, but gold is one. Cows are many, but milk is one. Beings

are many, but breath is one. Stars are many, but sky is one. Castes are many,

but humanity is one.” “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.” A lively performance of gymnastics followed. Acrobats

performing gymnastics on top of jeeps like Sarvangasana, lotus formation,

students perched on the sides of a pole performing chakrasana while a student

made a flying fish appearance on the top of the pole, cartwheel, headstand,

Christmas tree formation, Dhanur Asana, revolving on stick, were some of the

feats performed with dexterity, skill and balance by the students of Anantapur

campus. Truly, the students should be having nerves of steel and muscles of

iron to perform these feats. Of course, their love for Bhagawan and His grace

of Bhagawan has made such stupendous feats possible. The next item was flag

march with flags of various hues. The last item of their performance was a

dance coupled with rhythmic movements on hoops. Students strapped huge

beautiful butterflies on their bodies and performed an undulating dance. Unity

leads to purity and purity to divinity was their motto. All the students

assembled to pay their obeisance to Bhagawan. Thus, ended a memorable morning

programme.

In the evening, Bhagawan arrived in the stadium at 4.00 p.m. The Primary School

students gave a unique welcome to Bhagawan. As Bhagawan’s car was nearing the

stage, a few students clinging one on another walked ahead of the car giving an

appearance of contortionists. After Bhagawan reached the dais, tiny tots offered

bouquets to Him. The first item of their performance was a dance by primary

school girls welcoming Bhagawan with the song, “Prasanthi Vasa Swagatam,

Puttaparthi Pureesa Swagatam, Swagatam, Suswagatam.” Suddenly hordes of Vanara

army came out of shells and swarmed the performing area with mace in their

hands. They performed a lively dance and opened scrolls of Bhagawan’s picture

signifying they have Bhagawan in their heart of hearts. The climax was the

entry of Rama and Lakshmana amidst the Vanara hordes.

The students displayed wonderful show of skill and balance through their

gymnastic performance. Christening themselves Sai Wheels, three students

catching each other rolled on the ground giving the appearance of a wheel. They

also offered Pranams to Bhagawan by admirably balancing one on another. There

was a virtual riot of colours when students in their yellow dress with lamps in

front of them performed a dance. Then the students performed a lively dance in

their dazzling silver and blue dresses. A group of roller skaters performed

heroic stunts on skates like jumping one over the other, crossing obstacles on

skates. Their performance left the audience in amazement at their skill and

perfection. The Primary School students too like their seniors did wonderful

feats on the slippery poles. They made beautiful formations, precariously

balancing themselves on stomach on top of the pole, balancing head downwards

and sliding in the same direction. The feat of balancing on the pole with legs

and holding a flag won repeated plaudits from the audience. The next item was a

dance by tiny tots in their sparkling yellow dress with large flowers strapped

on their bodies.

The items kept coming one after another like a cascade. Dexterous balancing on

ropes was the next item. Hanging with head downwards, Shavasana on ropes from a

great height, somersaulting on ropes were some of the feats performed by the

students. And what not, a human hoop was formed and boys started jumping

through the hoop. The last item was a dance by Primary School girls dressed as

angels and in dresses representing clouds. Their breathtaking performance ended

with final formation of all the students offering obeisance to Bhagawan. A

touching song was played in the background: “We all have come to sing. We love

you dear Sai. Having found such loving God, we have only to rise and shine.”

As the Primary School students were leaving the performing area, the students of

Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanoddharana Pathakam were getting ready with their

performance. This particular project was taken over by Bhagawan as He is the

refuge of the forlorn. Bhagawan has given them food, raiment and shelter and

also deposited 1 lakh rupees for each boy. They are educated with the latest

technology including training in computers. Their performance was christened

Chadarang – a form of warfare where transformation is achieved without

elimination, the enemy is subdued without killing.

A war ensues between black soldiers on one hand whose only goal is annihilation

and are the symbol of egoism and white soldiers. Discrimination is better than

valour. Forgive and forget is the watchword. At the end, the white king

forgives the black king and there is peace. A song “Love is God, love is life,

love is everything is played in the background. Then one of the inmates of the

Ashram narrates their deplorable condition before coming under the loving care

of Bhagawan. Bhagawan has taken them in His fold and has given them food,

raiment and shelter. He also gave instances how some inmates were cured of

Tuberculosis and Cancer completely. They are able to read, write and sing

Bhajans. To top it all, he said that an inmate is even going to join B.Sc

(Information Technology).

The last group to perform for the day was from the Brindavan campus of the

Institute. Strength and valour, beauty and grace – these were the hallmarks of

their programme. The first item was Dragon dance. Tone the body to realise the

goal of life. The dragon’s pursuit of the pearl symbolises the humanity’s

untiring pursuit of perfection in life. The dance requires team work, agility

and strength of arms. Swirling the dragon throughout the performing area, they

performed the dance with aplomb, winning time and again applause from the

audience.

The next performance was a medley of different types of martial arts like

Kalaripaitu, Karate, Kettukadi (stick fight) and fight with mace. Kalaripaitu

is the martial art from the State of Kerala. Efficient swordsmanship is the

pinnacle of Kalaripaitu. The artiste requires agility and strength for this

martial art. According to legend this martial art was brought by Parasurama to

earth.

The martial art began with Pranams to God. The students displayed various Katas

in Karate gracefully. Karate helps in eliminating weakness and indecisiveness

in the mind. Then there was a display of stick fight, Urmi fight with flashing

steel and fight with mace. The main emphasis of this performance was how the

mind and body reacts in unison instinctively to face the opponent. A wonderful

display of blindfolded wielding of Nunchaku followed. The agility of the

performers was a sight to watch. The key to success in martial arts is reading

the mind of the opponent was the announcement. The last item of their

performance was display of sheer human raw power. They jumped through rings,

crossed human hurdles of a few boys, breaking pots with lethal power and

consummate ease and to crown it all smashing blazing tiles with hand. The

performance ended with the final formation and offer of obeisance to Bhagawan

by the Brindavan campus students. Arati was offered to Bhagawan at 6.30 p.m.

and then Bhagawan left for His abode from the Stadium.

Thus, ended a memorable, outstanding and remarkable Sports and Cultural Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam.

Jai Sai Ram

 

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