Programme Highlights

“Krishnam Vande”

June 30, 2009 at ATIRA Auditorium, Ahmedabad

Chinmaya Swaranjali, Ahmedabad presented 'KRISHNAM VANDE' a grand musical programme on the occasion of Param Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji's birthday on 30th June, 2009 at Ahmedabad Textile Industrial Research Association [ATIRA] auditorium.

Our objectives were to celebrate our beloved Guruji's birthday, participate in the reconstruction of ‘Paramdham’ and underscore LORD KRISHNA’s sixteen ‘shodas-kalas’ using 16 devotional Bhajans as the media and to keep the listening audience of all ages alert and involved. All these objectives were achieved successfully.

Lord Krishna’s sixteen shodash kalas can best be summarized by saying that HE is:
OMNIPOTENT - having virtually unlimited authority & influence
OMNIFICIENT - unlimited in creative power
OMNIPRESENT - present in all places at all times
OMNISCIENT - having infinite awareness, understanding and insight, possessing universally complete knowledge

Our understanding develops through the study of scriptures and feeling GOD increases by devotion. Understanding KRISHNA is beyond Mind and Intellect. However, mind and intellect merges into one instrument we call HEART which is the seat of contemplation. Such feelings of being one with KRISHNA was felt by all present in ATIRA auditorium when singers sang Bhajans that focused on the KRISHNAM VANDE theme.

The aesthetics and decorations reflected Gujarati culture. Songs were in Gujarati, Hindi and Sanskrit languages. Melodies of Mirabai and Narasimha Mehta in Sugam Sangeet format along with few folk songs took the seniors ‘back-into-the-memory-lane’ of their youthful years. Traditional Garbas and Ras along with modernized ‘dot-com-bhajan’ literally brought our youth on their feet – dancing with joy. DHUN reflecting reality, reconnected all collectively to a joyful closing of KRISHNAM VANDE.

The programme was presented by a group of talented young artists, Dipti Desai, Manan Bhatt, Mihir Jani and our Chinmaya Youth Shubhangi Shah. This Bhajan Sandhya was anchored by Ankit Trivedi. The programme was initiated with prayers and birthday wishes to our Guruji by Smt Anjuben Shah. The closing remarks were given by Shri Jatin Shah, the ‘point-person’ from inception to completion of this celebration.

- Ashwin Parikh

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