| Celebrations from Prasanthi Nilayam - Program schedule - click here | |||
Christmas comes to Prasanthi… | |||
| Holy Christmas is once again coming to Prasanthi Nilayam. The festival that is western in its origin earns a universal outlook when it reaches the Prasanthi precincts. Men and women from countries afar join Indians celebrating the advent of the Son of God. As is the custom every year, this year too, hundreds of choristers from different countries will be singing Carols on the eve, this evening. Gisela Sebastian, an accomplished singer who hails from Munich, in Germany has been charged with the daunting task of coordinating the International Choir this year. Previous years have seen an ever graceful Sylvia Alden conducting the Choir as commanded and blessed by Bhagawan. Ms. Sebastian's strong musical background has enabled her to direct experienced musicians from all over the world in preparation for the Carols. She has been a permanent member of the International Choir for past many years. The choristers have been working tirelessly, rehearsing, braving the severe Indian winter, from 14 December onwards. Leading up to the festivity, Prasanthi is shining brighter and brighter day by day, with various overseas troupes engaged in decorating the House of The Lord. This year a team of Croatians ably assisted by the South Africans dovetailed their efforts for the decorations. While the South Africans ensured that the gaiety and the spirit of Christmas were adequately reflected through strings of flashing lights, coloured bulbs and scintillating luminescence, the Croatians spared nothing in ensuring that the highest standards were maintained in erecting the décor for Christmas. Before long, the Prasanthi Nilayam environment was transformed from the usual scenic, lush greenery of plants and flowers to one reflecting the spirit and gaiety of Christmas. Children and adults never failed to stop and immerse themselves in the prevailing ambiance while going about their routine. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II | |||
| Musical Dance Drama by Vizianagaram Friday, December 23rd, 2011 The Sai Youth and Balvikas of Vizianagaram brought reality to the assembly today with a Musical Dance Drama entitled "Palle Sevaye Paramatmuni Seva" based on real life incidents that happened in their district. The drama depicted how Sai Youth bring transformation in villagers and even prisoners with their self less service. The dialogue by the youth in the drama that Charity is offered on request but Seva is offered by inner prompting, resounded in the ears of all.
The skit was preceded by a talk by the district president Sri. Damodar Rama Mohan Rao who after profusely thanking Bhagawan for His grace and blessings, spoke about the illustrious history of the district. He then spoke about the recent lag in development and the need to strengthen the spiritual and service activities to bring the people together towards a better society by the grace of Bhagawan. | |||
Southern Europe Music Programme | |||
| South European countries Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina started the Christmas Celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam with a musical feast this evening. The songs were sung in their local languages as well as English. However the biggest treat was the beginning and ending of the ten song programme which were sung in the Divine Language of the Avatar, Telugu.  After the Music Programme, as encouraged by Bhagawan in previous years, they also sung Bhajans. Clothes were distributed to all the participants and Prasadam was shared with the assembly on this sweet occasion. "Christmas is coming to town…"
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| Over one hundred and eighty devotees from the South European countries Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina arrived early in the Christmas season for they have been given the unique privilege of decorating Mandir and the rest of Prasanthi Nilayam this year. Along with that they also had the yearning to sing and cry out their feelings to Bhagawan. The opportunity was gained by them on the 20th of Dec 2011. The above mentioned countries speak different languages (they can understand each other, but the languages are similar and not same). They had the herculean task of balancing their time between decorating Prasanthi Nilayam and having rehearsals together in order to learn the songs well. By Bhagawan's grace, help had come under the loving and expert guiding hand of their Choir conductor Uma Devi. They held rehearsals in the EHV block (popularly know as the double decker building) in the previous few days from 5.00-7.00am. The countries also have different religious and cultural backgrounds. So the songs express devotional feelings and attitudes with a stress on the Destination which is common for all the paths. . A scintillating combination of wind, string, keyboard and percussions made for a divine rendition of songs in praise of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. While many of the items were lively and foot-tapping, the multifarious gathering was also entertained with sweet, sinusoidal, lilting sounds with deep messages.  With the expansive vision to make their brothers and sisters from India also feel included, they sang two songs in Telugu and Hindi: Kapadu Sai Devuda and Hamko Tumse Pyare Kitna.  After the Music Programme, as encouraged by Bhagawan in previous years, they also sung Bhajans. Clothes were distributed to all the participants and Prasadam was shared with the assembly on this sweet occasion. | |||
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| Christmas Fervour in Prasanthi Nilayam… | |||
| With a week to go for the Christmas Day, Prasanthi is slowly catching up with Christmas fervour. A sizeable number of devotees have already arrived and the number is expected to swell in the run up to the festive day.  Christmas decorations that form an integral part of the festivity in Prasanthi is gradually showing up with colourful decor at vantage points, and devotees from Croatia are tirelessly working on the theme, with dedication and devotion, to make it Divinely beautiful. Boundary wall fencing of the Divine Abode, Yajur Mandir and the area behind the Prasanthi Mandir have already been deocrated with colourful white serial lightings, while the Western Canteen has been lit with bright colours looking like a landing strip for Santa and his reindeer. Braving Prasanthi's Christmas winter, hundreds of choristers from many overseas countries are busily engaged in rehearsing the Christmas Choir scheduled for the festive evening.
While the Children Choir for the Christmas Eve, conducted by Alma Badings, is getting on with its hectic rehearsal sessions, a group of musicians from the Croatian Choir is also perfecting its tunes for the scheduled programme, on the 20th evening. The signs of Christmas are all around inspiring Prasanthi to sing the Carol, "Do you see what I see? what I see… what I see…" | |||
Christmas Season begins in Prasanthi NilayamDevotees from Croatia who have been given the opportunity to decorate Prasanthi Nilayam have begun the task with enthusiasm. Western Canteen and the pathway opposite to it has been lit with bright colours looking like a landing strip for Santa and his reindeer. The signs of Christmas are all around inspiring us to sing the Carol, "Do you see what I see? what I see… what I see…" Come back for more Christmas updates on this page | |||
2011-12-24
Christmas comes to Prasanthi…
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