Programme Highlights

“Kanha Aao Raas Rachao”

September 21, 2008 at Ravindra Natya Bhavan, Margao, Goa

Amidst the scenic beauty and the cool breeze of the land of ‘sun, sand and rhythm of the soul’ - Goa, the beautiful people of Goa were presented with an evening of devotional music.

Chinmaya Mission, Madgaon, celebrates their Silver Jubilee in 2010. As a prelude to the big event, they invited Chinmaya Swaranjali, Mumbai, for a fund-raiser audio–visual programme of devotionals in Goa on 21st September 2008. A spate of rigorous practices, and we were ready to go…………..

20th September saw around 27 members including a couple of children, converging at the Kurla Terminus to board the train to Madgaon. Even through the train journey, loose ends were being tied up and nitty-gritties sorted out!

The Madgaon members gave us a warm welcome in the middle of the night (1.30 a.m.), and took us to the hotel where we were put up for the next two days. After a few hours’ sleep and breakfast, we proceeded to the Madgaon Ashram for the final rehearsal. By the time we finished, it was past 2 p.m. and after a quick bite, we went to the hall! The afternoon was spent in setting up the mikes, lights, slides and sound-balancing. We were then ready for the show!

The formal function started at around 6 p.m., with Swami Nikhilanandaji (from Delhi), Shri Digamber Kamat, Chief Minister of Goa, Br. Prahladji and Br. Kedarji coming on to the dais. After brief speeches from the Chief Minister and Swamiji, the lamp was lit by all those on stage and the main programme “Kanha Aao, Raas Rachaao” began.

The next two hours had a packed hall of around 1000 persons glued to their seats as Chinmaya Swaranjali, Mumbai showcased its vocal, dance and music talents, ably supported by people handling the slides, lights and back-stage!!

Conceptualized and led by Shrimati Pramodini Rao, the programme took the audience on a delightful journey through the Krishna Avataar. Beginning with the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight and Vasudev bringing the baby Krishna to Gokul in “Madhraat me janam bhayo”, the audience were then taken through the happy scene of celebration among the folks of Gokul on seeing the bonny baby Krishna in “Gokul Pragat Bhaye”, the antics and mischief of the “golmatol” Krishna, stealing butter and teasing the women folklore of Gokul in “Chanchala Chal”.

Then as Ma Yashoda rocked the little baby Krishna to sleep in the soul-stirring composition of our Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji – “Halravay Dulrai”, one cannot help but echo Surdasji’s emotion of absolute bliss. The musicians swayed the audience with their wonderfully harmonized music. Then with Meerabai’s bhajan set to music composed by Shrimati Sushila Acharya – “Jaago Bansivaare”, the residents of Gokul are increasingly impatient to see young Krishna wake up.

The Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu was beautifully portrayed in Shri Purandaradasa’s eternal composition in Kannada “Baare gopamma ninna”. The pleasant compèring and beautiful slideshows also had everyone present captivated. In “Moko Jaane De” and “Vrindavan Kunja Bhavana” young Krishna’s raas leela and His hypnotic effect on the gopis was portrayed. The wonderful dances left the viewers enthralled and tapping their feet along.

The unshaken faith of the true devotee towards the Lord was portrayed in Sushila Amma’s composition and Meerabai’s written “Meera Magan Bhai” and Gurudev’s poem “He answers my prayers” with music composed by Pramodini Didi. The audience was then taken through a few verses of the Bhagwad Geeta set to music composed by Pramodini Didi and it was indeed a journey from “Swara to Ishwara” in the true sense.

The joy of invoking the Lord’s name through Namavali was experienced with the renditions of “Shyam Sundara”, “Sada Nirantara” and “Hari Bol Hari Bol”. “Aaj Gokulat Rang” and “Raat Shyam Sapne Me Aaye” had the audience mesmerised and upbeat.

Pramodini Didi spoke to the audience about the activities of Chinmaya Swaranjali and also told them about Chinmaya Nada Bindu, the international residential school for music and dance at Kolwan and the some of the upcoming events at Chinmaya Nada Bindu this year.

The next morning, Chinmaya Mission, Madgaon arranged for all of us to be taken to Colva beach and a few famous temples of Goa. Lunch was in a temple canteen, and we returned to the Ashram by 3 p.m. for a quick wash. We then proceeded to the station to board our train to Mumbai after saying goodbye to Br.Prahladji and other members.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without good planning and long hours of dedicated work put in by the enthusiastic workers of Chinmaya Mission, Madgaon. They not only proved to be great organizers, but were wonderful hosts too!! Our whole-hearted thanks to the entire team led by Br. Prahladji for the manner in which they smothered us with their love during our brief stay in Goa. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they thoroughly spoilt us in the two days that we were there!!

With this, Chinmaya Swaranjali has another feather on its cap, and is proud to be a catalyst in raising sizeable funds for the Goa centre. The earlier programs outside Mumbai include Surat and Pune Mission Centres.