Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji in Chennai for Sachchidananda Keertanotsavam

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji in Chennai for Sachchidananda Keertanotsavam 24 to 30 November 2008

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived at Chennai Ashrama on 24th November 2008 at 12 noon to a grand reception specially to inaugurate and attend the Sachchidananda Keertanotsavam festivities for a week till 30th November 2008. He was received with Poornakumbam. After visiting the temples, He went to the Gurunilayam.

24th evening
Sachchidananda Keertanotsavam 2008 was inaugurated by His Holiness Sri Swamiji by lighting the lamp. Vid. Karaikkudi Sri Mani the Mrudangam maestro and an ardent devotee of Sri Swamiji was the guest of honour. He lighted the lamp along with Smt. Nithyasri Mahadevan, who gave the inaugural concert and Sri Ranga Rao, Executive Trustee of Chennai Ashrama Trust.

Sri Swamiji told during His short discourse that He was very happy to be present for this year’s Keertanotsavam. He mentioned that the Sangeeta Utsavam was taking place in the presence of Sri Hanuman (Sanjeevan), in whose music even Pashana Stone melted away and today being the last Kartika monday, it is very apt to inaugurate the Keertanotsavam as Lord Shiva is Nada Swaroopa and Yoga Swaroopa”. He said that when Sri Swamiji was in Yoga, Krithis started coming from Him. Only through Nada Yoga the great Sri Thiagaraja Swami and Sri Muthuswami Dhikshitar attained Mukti.

At Chennai for this festival they have selected Guru Kritis, as that is best. Sri Rama said that He was happy to hear His own story sung by Lava-Kusha as Ramayana. Sri Valmiki Maharshi said that when Lava-Kusha sang his own lyrics as Ramayana in front of him and in the presence of Sri Rama, he was immensely pleased. Similarly, Sri Swamiji was very happy to listen to His own Kritis sung by senior and renowned Vidwans in His presence. Many of Sri Swamiji’s compositions are in Manipravala style. So language is no barrier to listen to the compositions.

Sri Swamiji released two sets of audio CDs: “Namarchanai” in Tamil, a beautiful rendering of Tamil Bhajans by Pujya Sri Swamiji, and another was a set of two CDs of the live concert of various artists who sang during Keertanotsavam 2007.

Later, Smt. Nithyasri Mahadevan gave a fantastic concert. The main raga of the evening Thodi was a treat to listen and with Sri Swamiji’s rare Krithi “Sri Krishna Chaitanya”, the concert reached the climax. The famous “Om Namo Narayana” in Hindolam was sung with lot of emotion.

25th morning
Sri. Sikkil Gurucharan presented Sangeeta Seva during Sri Chakra Puja. Sri Swamiji, in His discourse told that when He was listening to the concert, His went back to 35 years. In 1962, when Sri Swamiji started singing, devotees during that time were asking who would play violin, tabla etc. The great violin maestro who was present immediately said that he would be accompanying Sri Swamiji whenever he was in Mysore. Pahi Pahi Gajanana was the first bhajan on Vinayaka. This bhajan is in Manipravalam style. Vid. T. N. Krishnan on violin and Vid. Umayalpuram Sivaraman on Muudangam were among the first artists to accompany Sri Swamiji in Chennai. Gurucharan’s Kutchery was very good and he sang with devotion to Sri Swamiji.
Chennai Trustees found a wonderful way to keep Swamiji here by arranging Keertanotsavam, which is very dear to SWAMIJI. This festival should be conducted every year. Sri Swamiji continued and said that to organize this Keertanotsavam funds are required. He asked all devotees to contribute for the fund, the interest from which the festival can be conducted. He asked the devotees to buy the CDs released, as everybody must have the collection Swamiji’s compositions. He also said that the proceeds of the CDs go to charitable cause.

25th evening
Sri Swamiji was very pleased with concert of Vid.. G. S.Mani, accompanied by legendary VId. Umayalpuram Sivaraman on Mrudangam. The main raga was in Shanmukhapriya and Bhajan being Sri Raja Rajeshi. Vid. Shivaraman’s Tani Avarthan came for special praise from Sri Swamiji.

26th morning
Trichy Ramesh presented Sangeeta Seva during Sri Chaka Puja. Sri Swamiji got immersed in the Aarabi Alapana and Krithi Indiresa Govinda. Sri Swamiji said that when He composed a Bhajan, Raga Devata came along with the song. So it is no correct to change the Raga without the permission from Him. However, artists can change the style with Sangatis as required for the concert platform. He also said that wherever Swamiji did not mention the Raga, artists could use any Raga to suit the composition.

26th evening
Hyderabad sisters gave a beautiful concert. Sri Swamiji specially mentioned the perfect harmony between the sisters.

27th morning
Sri. Sajeev presented a emotional concert during Sri Chakra Puja. Sri Swamiji was moved and asked Sri. Sajeev to once again sing the last Charanam of ‘Datta Masraye Sargurothamam”. Sri Swamiji also sang with Sajeev and it was very beautiful.

27th evening
Vid. Trichur Ramachandran’s concert was super. Sri Swamiji was immersed in the music. Vid. T. Bhaktavatasalam gave classic Tani. The interesting aspect of the concert was that due to very heavy rain the violin artist could not come but Sri. Viswanathan , trustee of Chennai Ashrama accompanied Ramachandran on Harmonium creditably.

28th morning
Ashram Bhajan Mandali gave a Bhajan concert during Sri Chakra Puja.

28th evening
Doltsavam was organized for Pujya Sri Swamiji who adorned the specially decorated “Oonjal” (swing) at 7 PM. This is the first time Dolotsavam was organized in Chennai. It was thrilling and the atmosphere was electric. Ashrama Bhajana Mandali sang the Dola Bhajans. In between, Sri Swamiji’ Gujarati Dandya was sung. There was a spontaneous participation of devotees to dance. This day was unforgettable for the devotees. Sri Swamiji in His address said that Dolotsavam is one of the five Utsavams to be performed for God. Each Utsavam represents one element of the Pancha Bhootas.

29th morning
Kumari Shaswati gave the concert of Sri Swamiji’s compositions.

29th evening
Vid. Shankar Shanbhogue and party of Bangalore gave an unique concert in Hindustani style presenting Sri Jayalakshmi Mata’s compositions and Sri Swamiji gave explanation for each bhajan. It was fantastic.

30th morning
An young artist Rithvik Raja gave a pleasing concert during Sri Chakra Puja. Sri Swamiji said that even with continuous heavy rains, He was happy that the programs were organized nicely and devotees were present in very large numbers for both sessions. This festival has to be organized every year, He said. Gna Na Bha Yoga, a unique conference will be inaugurated in Mysore during Datta Jayanti and similar conference shall be organized in Chennai next year. During that time Keertanotsavam for 2009 should be held for 5 days and after that Sri Swamiji’s Bhajans would be held for two days. Devotees gave a standing ovation when Sri Swamiji said that.

30th evening
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s Bhajan session was an experience about which there are no words to describe.
JAYA GURU DATTA

Report by Sri. Jayaraman

Inauguration of Sachchidananda Keertanotsavam 2008.
Lighting of the inaugural lamp by Vid. Karaikkudi Sri Man - Mrudangam maestro,
Smt. Nithyasri Mahadevan and Sri Ranga Rao, Executive Trustee of Chennai Ashrama.